Adult Prisoner Reentry Program Evaluation

In July 2005, the Wyoming Department of Corrections (WDOC) contracted with WYSAC to conduct a process evaluation of the Adult Prisoner Reentry Program. Prisoners released back into communities face employment challenges, social stigmatization, and often substance abuse issues. Reentry and transition programs provide services that prepare inmates for life outside of prison, such as job skills training, job search help, substance abuse treatment, mental health counseling, life skills training, education, and emergency housing.

Nationwide, more than 600,000 adult prisoners are released from institutions back into communities each year. The Key Components of Prisoner Reentry reports that “the return of ex-offenders can threaten the fragile cohesion of many of the nation’s most troubled neighborhoods.” The primary goal of transition is to reduce the likelihood of a return to criminal activity, arrest, and reincarceration. Teams of interdisciplinary professionals in four Wyoming pilot counties have been working to unify services typically available through separate government agencies. Eligible offenders aged 18 to 35 from the Wyoming State Penitentiary and the Wyoming Women’s Center have been reentering these local communities through the Wyoming Serious and Violent Offenders Reentry Program (SVORI) for the past two years. This evaluation will examine the range of services that the pilot counties have assembled and track the progress of offenders transitioning back into their communities. Additionally, the study will make recommendations to WDOC with regard to transitioning from SVORI (for which funding ends in June 2006) to a permanent Wyoming Transition Program.

Wyoming Juvenile Reentry Program Data Collection System and Evaluation

In September 2005, WYSAC contracted with the Wyoming Department of Family Services to build a data collection system and to conduct a process and outcome evaluation of the Juvenile Reentry Program. The reentry program focuses on providing services to juveniles during their time in the Wyoming Boys’ and Girls’ Schools and after their release. Research indicates that juvenile offenders who receive services targeted at enhancing their ability to reintegrate into the community (mental health and substance abuse treatment, life skills programs, education, and vocational training) are less likely to re-offend and more likely to successfully assimilate into their communities. The ultimate goal of reentry is to reduce crime and increase public safety by helping troubled juveniles become productive and law-abiding members of their communities. Guardians of juveniles also receive parenting instruction through the program.

WYSAC is currently developing a user-friendly interface that will allow institutionally and community-based reentry staff to securely collect and organize client data for case management and reporting purposes. Through efficient and common data collection efforts, reentry staff will be better able to evaluate the effectiveness of services provided to juvenile participants.

WYSAC will also conduct a comprehensive process and interim outcome evaluation of the FY 2006 Juvenile Reentry Program. As part of this evaluation, WYSAC is developing client surveys, parent surveys, and team member surveys. We will conduct site visits at the Wyoming Boys’ and Girls’ Schools and at community-based locations in Gillette and Rock Springs. Researchers will carry out key informant interviews of clients, caseworkers, and treatment team members to fully assess the implementation and impact of this program. The final report and database are scheduled to be completed by June 30, 2006.

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