ANALYZING THE RECIDIVISM RATE OF POLK COUNTY INMATES
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
In the United States, nearly 40 percent of all individuals who have been convicted of a crime will commit another crime, a statistic that has held steady since 1994 despite the decreasing crime rate . The implications of crime on communities are great, impacting the safety of its citizens, the quality of life, and the economy . The crime rate in the nation decreased a total of 23.2 percent between 1994 and 2000; however, the rate at which crime fell slowed considerably, to 9.6 percent, between 2000 and 2007 . Barring any other influences and given the trend identifiable in the historical data, at this pace the crime rate will soon level out. In order for communities to continuing experiencing a decrease in crime, new tactics should be explored. (Good statistical info to foreshadow the problem statement) Given the steady rate of recidivism between 1994 and 2007 , it would stand to reason that the deployment of effective strategies in reducing the recidivism rate would result in an overall, and potentially significant, decrease in crime.
The prison population in the United States has reportedly increased over the last 30 years . According to the Pew Center on the States (2011), one in 100 adults in America was incarcerated in 2008 (this is a Wow fact provided here…good).
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Alarmingly (nice adjective), another study indicated that one in 31 adults was either locked up in a detention facility or serving out their sentences on probation in 2009 (2011).
Clearly, an increase in incarceration rates results in the increased cost of incarceration; this results in increased costs to the taxpayers or reduction in services in other areas to compensate. As governments face budgeting challenges, a decrease in recidivism could potentially result in a decrease in such costs. Government officials would be remiss to not consider options that could potentially result in increased public safety and decreased cost to the tax payers. Statement of the Problem
Purpose
Although numerous studies have been conducted on recidivism (good synthesis of the secondary data) (nice use of APA), it is important that studies that seek to reduce recidivism are conducted and successful tactics are explored. It is simply not enough to state there is a problem; public officials must act on potential solutions. The problem is that there is not enough known about rehabilitation programs to ascertain if they are truly effective and which are the most significant in decreasing recidivism. (the problem statement must be just that a specific problem statement…remember to specifically state it in this section early and then continue with the discussion of support. Researching programs that are successful in ensuring individuals do not return to a life of crime is essential.
Two avenues of research can be explored, both of which are interconnected: discovering the impetus behind individuals committing crimes again and discovering programs that deter individuals from committing crime again. For instance, in 2002, 77 percent of jail inmates indicated they were involved in either drugs or alcohol at the time of the offense for which they were incarcerated . A high probability exists that these inmates are leaving detention facilities to return to a life of crime to support or as a result of their drug or alcohol addiction. Addressing a substance dependence problem while incarcerated may deter them from returning to such an environment upon their release.
Especially in this time of economic recession, public administrators have more pressure than ever to cut costs without risking the safety of the citizens they serve. Knowing what factors are indicators of recidivism and what programs are successful at preventing recidivism will assist detention officials in identifying those at risk and implementing effective programming. Reduced costs and enhanced public safety are a win-win for all. Researching the factors that influence recidivism will have far-reaching impacts. Detention operations at the local, state, and national levels will be able to glean information from this research to tailor their inmate programming. Studying the rates at which inmates recidivate is not enough; empirical data on which public administrators can rely to create and implement effective strategies must be collected. Research Problem
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The Polk County Sheriff’s Office, located in Winter Haven, Florida, is not only responsible for the deployment of law enforcement services, but also for operating the county jails – Central County Jail and South County Jail . In 1997, in attempt to reduce the occurrence of crime, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office implemented a proactive approach to fighting crime that incorporated multiple types of policing – traditional, community-oriented, problem-oriented, and data-driven – called PROCAP, an acronym that stands for Proactive Community Attack on Problems (2011).
As a result of this policing strategy, between 1997 and 2010, the crime rate in the Polk County Sheriff’s Office service area decreased 55.5 percent (2011).
The average number of crimes per 100 residents in 2010 was 2.97; a stark contrast to the 6.68 crimes per 100 residents reported in 1997.
However, the rate at which crime is decreasing has slowed drastically. Between 1997 and 2003, the crime rate decreased a total of 46 percent; between 2003 and 2010, the crime rate decreased only 17 percent (2011).
At this slowed rate of decrease, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office must explore new tactics, to combine with the ones already implemented, in order to maintain a decrease in crime. As the Polk County Sheriff’s Office is also responsible for the detention of county inmates, the recidivism rate of inmates in their jails is one that could be impacted and should be explored. With a daily average inmate population of nearly 2,200 , effective strategies could have a significant impact on the rate of crime. Don’t cover up the research problem…remember another solid statement needs to be provided here with the population subjects you wish to study. You have done a great job of providing this, but one statement to fold it all together is needed. Research Questions
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In order to address the issue of recidivism of Polk County inmates, research must be conducted to determine the factors that impact the recidivism rate of these inmates. Specifically, the issues that will be explored include past criminal history, substance abuse programs, faith-based programs, and re-entry programs. Providing empirical data will assist the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in identifying which inmates are likely to recidivate and what programs work best at preventing recidivism. Recidivism is defined by the Pew Center on the States (2011) as the rate at which offenders return to prison.
The Bureau of Justice Statistics (2002) takes a more specific, four-prong approach to recidivism: “re-arrest, reconviction, resentence to prison, and return to prison with or without a new sentence” over a three-year time span after a prisoner has been released. The latest recidivism study conducted by the Florida Department of Corrections (2003) measured inmates over a six year period. For purposes of this study, recidivism will be defined as the rate in which individuals that have previously been arrested in Polk County, Florida, are subsequently arrested for a separate crime or for a violation of the terms of their initial sentence.
The first research question to be explored is as follows: Is the recidivism rate of Polk County inmates impacted by their criminal history? Criminal history is based on criminal records that are maintained in local, state, and federal databases that document an individual’s prior criminal offenses for which they were convicted . It is important to study not only the number of crimes for which an individual was convicted, but also the type of crimes. For instance, the Bureau of Justice Statistics (2002) determined that the highest rate of re-arrest was among individuals who had committed property crimes (burglary, theft, fraud).
Answering this research question will encompass the consideration of the number of separate crimes and types of crimes (property versus persons and violent versus non-violent) for which an individual was arrested.
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Another research question to be explored is: Is the recidivism rate of Polk
County inmates inversely affected by the involvement in substance abuse programs while incarcerated? The Bureau of Justice Statistics (2005) reported that incarcerated individuals who met the substance abuse or dependence criteria established by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.) were two times more likely to have at least three prior convictions. Different types of treatment programs were evaluated, including residential, counseling, detoxification, self-help, peer counseling, and educational (2005).
For purposes of this project, substance abuse programs that will be evaluated for efficiency will include educational and counseling programs, focusing on alcohol and drug abuse and dependency, which are offered to an inmate while incarcerated.
The next research question is: Is the recidivism rate of Polk County inmates inversely affected by the participation in faith-based programs while incarcerated? This question will analyze the effectiveness of programs that educate and encourage inmates to pursue a crime-free lifestyle through religious and morality-based programming. Past studies have been conducted of faith-based programs that also included a life-skills training component . However, this particular research study will only focus on a program where the main component is faith-based concepts, regardless of whether or not life-skills training is included.
The final research question to explore is: Is the recidivism rate of Polk County inmates inversely affected by re-entry programs? This is perhaps the least studied of the variables previously discussed. However, the studies that have been conducted consider reentry programs to involve locating services that meet an individual inmate’s need, ensuring community-involved supervision, and potentially providing rehabilitative services – basically, this involves tailoring a plan for each inmate . For purposes of this study, the effectiveness of community-organized groups that specialize in offender reentry will be analyzed. Scope
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Empirical data available through previously conducted studies on recidivism identify countless factors that impact recidivism good synthesis of the studies. However, the purpose of this research is to determine specifically how the Polk County Sheriff’s Office can implement strategies to reduce the crime rate through a reduction in recidivism. Therefore, factors over which the Polk County Sheriff’s Office has control and those that will help identify the inmates who are the most likely to recidivate are the most vital. Consequently, the first research question will help identify the inmates who at the highest need for intervention. The subsequent variables are programs that the Sheriff’s Office should consider continuing or developing, once the research determines which are most effective.
A literature review of previously conducted studies will be conducted to determine indicators of recidivism and the success or failure of similar programs. Additionally, specific data regarding booking, incarceration, and program assignment of Polk County inmates will be analyzed to determine the success of the current substance abuse, faith-based, and reentry programs. Research may be limited due to the unavailability of specific data regarding programs in which the inmates were involved and the inability to legally access criminal history information that will indicate whether or not an inmate was arrested in another jurisdiction besides Polk County. END OF FIRST SUBMISSION
BEGINNING OF SECOND SUBMISSION
Literature Review
Dependent Variable: Recidivism Rate
Broadly defined, recidivism occurs when an individual who has already been punished for a crime commits another crime . Therefore, recidivism rate refers to the percentage of former inmates who recidivate, commit another crime. Although the broad definition seems to offer a simple explanation of recidivism, in actuality, measuring recidivism is a very complex undertaking. Many factors must be taken into consideration to determine the exact factors that compile the formula for determining exactly what an entity wishes to measure: type of inmates to be studied (jail, prison, etc.), period of time to be studied, step in the system that constitutes recidivism (arrest, conviction, incarceration), charges for new crime only or also for violations of the stipulation of release . The key is to ensure the factors that are measured and calculated to determine the recidivism rate are clearly stated in the findings of the study. Doing so will provide a clear understanding and ensure policies or programs are not initiated and implemented under false pretenses.
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While recidivism is accepted and understood in the broad sense of criminals reoffending, the aforementioned factors of measurement vary greatly across state and national studies conducted on recidivism . Perhaps the most widely accepted recidivism studies conducted in the nation are those conducted by the Bureau of Justice Statistics. The primary function of the Bureau of Justice Statistics, as authorized by the Justice Systems Improvement Act of 1979, is to gather, evaluate, and distribute data on criminal justice issues that are of vital importance to public administrators of all levels of government to assist in the fight against crime and perpetuate efficiency and fairness . In 1989, the Bureau of Justice Statistics (1989) conducted a study on recidivism of prisoners released in 1983. In 2002, the Bureau conducted a subsequent recidivism study of inmates released from prison in 1994 .
These studies used the same methodologies, although the samples sizes differed from 11 states (in 1983) to 15 states (in 1994).
Their studies evaluated inmates released from state prison for three years following their release (in both 1983 and 1994) and measured whether the inmate was arrested again, convicted of a crime again, sentenced to prison for a new crime, or returned to prison for either a new crime or a violation of their initial release stipulations . These studies also provided details of the sample selection regarding their gender, ethnicity, age at release, prior arrests, and types of past charges. These studies revealed that when evaluating rearrests alone, the percentage of recidivism increased from 62.5% for inmates released in 1983 to 67.5% for inmates released in 1994. When determining return to prison, the percentage of inmates increased from 41.4% in 1983 to 51.8% in 1994. Interestingly, however, when evaluating reconvictions of the same inmates, the percentage remained stable at 46.8% and 46.9% respectively .
The Pew Center on the States is a nonprofit organization affiliated with The Pew Charitable Trusts with a mission to enhance public policy by effecting solutions to policy issues each of the states may be experiencing . In carrying out their purpose, they partnered with the Association of State Correctional Administrators to conduct a study that would provide an analysis of recidivism and would allow a comparison of states. Their study analyzed two groups of inmates released from prison – those released in 1999 and those released in 2004 – and analyzed whether or not an individual was reconvicted to prison either for a new crime or a violation of their release stipulations. While the researchers attempted to gather information from all 50 states, only 33 responded with data regarding the inmates released in 1999 and only 41 states responded with information regarding prisoners released in 2004. The final results of their study concluded that the recidivism statistics, when measuring them by analyzing their overall return to incarceration, actually decreased slightly – from 45.4% in 1999 to 43.3% in 2004 (2011).
Responsible for the function of housing the State of Florida’s state prisoners, the Florida Department of Corrections utilizes recidivism rates as a performance measurement . As such, the Department of Corrections initiated a study to analyze recidivism rates based on two measures: conviction for a felony offense after a prisoner’s release (what they label as “reoffense”) and return to prison for a new offense (what they label as “reimprisonment”).
Their sample group included nearly 100,000 inmates released from state custody in a six year period of time – between July 1995 and June 2001.
Their studies concluded that 39.9% of the prisoners studied were convicted on a felony offense after their initial release and that 25.7% returned to prison for a new offense (2003).
Clearly the details and results of recidivism studies vary significantly. The benefit of such studies is that the formula of measurement can be tailored to accomplish the needs of an individual entity. Independent Variable I: Criminal History
In the previously mentioned recidivism studies conducted, both the Bureau of Justice Statistics and the Florida Department of Corrections analyzed the types of criminal charges for which the study population were incarcerated initially; the Bureau of Justice Statistics also tracked the number of prior arrests . Such research allowed for certain conclusions to be drawn regarding the likelihood of prisoners to recidivate upon their release.
Such conclusions are imperative in tailoring the post-imprisonment stipulations to provide for the highest likelihood of success and lowest likelihood of recidivism.
In the study of prisoners released in 1994, the Bureau of Justice Statistics divided the study population into five categories based on the most severe crime for which they were imprisoned prior to their release: violent offenses, property offenses, drug offenses, public-order offenses, and other offenses . In all four recidivism measurements the Bureau used, (whether the inmate was arrested again, convicted of a crime again, sentenced to prison for a new crime, or returned to prison for either a new crime or a violation of their initial release stipulations), the highest rate of recidivism occurred by prisoners who had been imprisoned for property crimes prior to their release.
(These crimes include burglary, theft, motor vehicle theft, arson, fraud, stolen property, and any other property crime.) In the three years after their release, 73.8% of these offenders were arrested again, the reconviction rate was 53.4%, those who returned to incarceration for a new offense was 30.5%, and those who returned to prison for any reason was 56.4% . Offenders in the study population who were in the violent crime category ranked the lowest rates in being arrested again, convicted again, and returning to prison because of a new offense.
Given the nature of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responsibility in managing the local jail, the rearrest measurement would be the most suitable for determining recidivism. When analyzing the rearrest rate alone, sans the other measurement factors the Bureau of Justice Statistics utilized, it is apparent in both Bureau of Justice Statistic studies that released offenders in the study group who had the greatest likelihood to be rearrested again were those who had committed motor vehicle thefts, burglaries, thefts, and robberies . The Bureau’s statisticians further deduced that these types of crimes are those motivated by money and that the lowest rearrest rate was not associated with a want for monetary profit . Independent Variable II: Substance Abuse Programming
Fewer influences on crime are more apparent than substance abuse, as evidenced by statistical information widely available. In profiling jail inmates incarcerated in 2002, the Bureau of Justice Statistics determined that 24.7% of the inmates were jailed for drug offenses, an increase from 22% six years prior . However, it must be noted that drug offenses in and of themselves are not the only indicators of substance abuse. Individuals addicted to drugs and alcohol will often go to great lengths, committing other crimes, to support their addiction .
When conducting their research on the jail inmates’ dependence or abuse of drugs and alcohol, the Bureau of Justice Statistics estimated dependence or abuse based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition . Based on the criteria established therein, it was determined that 71% of all convicted inmates met the criteria for dependence on or abuse of alcohol or drugs. This group of inmates has twice the likelihood of other jailed individuals to have more than two prior sentences resulting in either probation or detention . Another conclusion drawn by the Bureau of Justice Statistics is that 70% of inmates who were convicted for drug or property crimes were found to meet the dependence or abuse criteria, as compared to only 60% of inmates who committed violent and public order crimes.
Exactly half of all convicted inmates in the Bureau’s study population admitted they were impaired by either drugs or alcohol at the time of the offense for which they were incarcerated. While this statistic is alarming, it is a reduction from the 59% of inmates in 1996 who reported being impaired by a substance at the time of their offense. At the same time this particular statistic was declining, the percentage of inmates who had reportedly undergone any type of substance abuse treatment (including during incarceration, while on probation, self-help, abuse education, rehabilitation facility, and counseling) increased from 50.1% in 1996 to 58% in 2002 . Although more in-depth research would be necessary to provide a clear nexus between the two, the possibility exists that the substance abuse treatment has resulted in a decline in the percentage of offenders under the influence of a substance at the time of their defense and possibly even in the overall reduction in crime rate.
Alcohol and drug abuse programs for inmates have proven success at reducing recidivism across the nation . For example, the Longwood Treatment Center, in Massachusetts, was the first detention facility in the United States to obtain accreditation through both the American Correctional Association (ACA) and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).
Of the more than 6,000 inmates who have graduated from this program, less than 8% have been known to recidivate . Research conducted by Stephen Valle and Dennis Humphrey (2002) revealed that substance abuse treatment of incarcerated individuals resulted in the decreased likelihood of drug use and of committing future crimes. Among other citations, Valle and Humphrey (2002) cite a Federal Bureau of Prisons survey that indicated that only 3.3% of inmates who participated in a drug treatment program in its entirety would be arrested again in the first six months of their release, a considerable reduction from the 12.1% of those who did not participate in such a program. Independent Variable III: Faith-Based Programming
While in-depth research on the impact of faith-based programming is not as prevalent as the other variables already discussed, sufficient documentation is available to support the idea that recidivism rates can be positively affected by an inmate’s participation in and completion of faith-based programming. Recognizing the lack of qualitative studies regarding the impact that religious-based education can have on the moral advancement of inmates, Swanson (2009) initiated a study to examine if effective and calculable results could be produced in inmates through the use of faith-based and life skills education. After her limited research of only a five participant study group, Swanson concluded that more research was warranted to actually establish the effect of faith-based programming on an inmate’s behavior upon release (2009).
Another study conducted on a small scale, in two prisons and one jail under the auspices of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, attempted to measure the effectiveness of faith-based programs that focus on character transformation through the introduction of religious education, moral instruction, and victim-centered edification . The study population was 102 male prisoners whose voluntary participation and progress in a faith-based
program called Restoring Peace was monitored through the administration of a pre-test and a post-test. The study attempted to measure the inmates progress through this 14-week program in the following areas: empathy, ability to forgive, spirituality, and forgiveness.
While results of the measured factors between the pre-test and the post-test were minimal at best, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice tracked the activity of the 74 inmates who had participated in the program and been released as of December 31, 2006. The figures indicate that only 5.4% of the released participants were re-incarcerated for committing another crime, compared to 7.2% of the general population who were likely to return .
Regardless of the lack of scientific data, many Florida correctional facilities are attempting to utilize faith-based programming in an attempt to lower the recidivism rate in the State of Florida . It is hoped that in reducing the recidivism rate, the prison population will decrease, resulting in a cost savings to the tax payer. A benefit of many faith-based programs is that they can be run at no or minimal cost to the taxpayers by utilizing volunteers from community-based groups . Specifically, Barnett (2009) cites that three correctional institutes in the State of Florida – Lawtey Correctional Institution, Hillsborough Correctional Institution, and Glades Correctional facility – have been designated as faith-based facilities.
Preliminary research indicated that recidivism measured after six months of an inmate’s release from both Lawtey and Hillsborough facilities was lower than the general inmate population . Although Wakulla Correctional Institution is not designated as a faith-based facility, this facility has incorporated faith-based, life-skills, and vocational training; early figures indicate a recidivism rate of inmates being released from this facility at below 10% . Independent Variable IV: Re-Entry / Transition Programming
Re-entry programming, programs that assist an inmate’s transition back into the community, is another variable for which scientific data is limited. However, multiple individual program evaluations indicate positive effects on recidivism . Re-entry programs, through various means, provide released inmates with assistance reintegrating into society through resources that can include case management, assistance with housing, employment placement, rehabilitation services, and mentoring .
In the Pew Center on the States (2011) recidivism study, the State of Oregon not only touted the lowest rate of recidivism in 2004 of the 41 states who reported in the study, but also experienced the largest decrease in recidivism from 1999 to 2004 of all reporting states. The State of Oregon contends their success is as a result of a holistic approach to reform and change at every governmental level . To aid in an inmate’s transition to the community, Oregon has established a methodical process that begins when an offender is incarcerated with an assessment of their individual needs and risks, is followed with individualized case supervision, and culminates in the actual transition planning six months prior to their release . Continual monitoring and swift action by probation officers helps ensure consistent consequences for all probationers, which has proven to result in optimal efficiency . The willingness of Oregon to invest in a new system that focuses on transitioning an inmate into society as soon as they enter a detention facility seems to be paying dividends in the recidivism results.
A program implemented in Jacksonville, Florida, in 2003 under the White House Ready4Work re-entry initiative has produced efficient and impressive results . The program specifically assists offenders in locating long-term jobs, sustainable housing, treatment for substance abuse, and tenable community relationships . The recidivism rate of offenders participating in this program was 5%, drastically lower than the Duval County recidivism rate of 54% . Although limited, given the individual program evaluations available, it stands to reason that providing resources that can transition with inmates from incarceration to the community does provide effective results.
According to Bouffard and Bergeron (2006), has federal government is exploring the development of Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiatives (SVORI) across the nation in an attempt to address the increasing inmate population. They acknowledge, however, that the information documenting the effectiveness of such programs is very limited.
Therefore, they analyzed the State of North Dakota’s Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiatives program . The study involved 71 participants, whose success rate was compared to 106 other inmates with comparable demographics who did not participate in the reentry program. This particular Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiative provided job skills training, substance abuse training, and housing assistance . Survey results revealed that the participants of the program were 60% less likely to be rearrested than the non-participants . Clearly, this program has proven to be successful. Such success warrants further serious consideration by public administrators to implement similar programs.
Hypotheses
Based on the information gathered and analyzed heretofore, the following hypotheses and null hypotheses have been formulated: Hypotheses One
H₁ The recidivism rate of Polk County inmates is directly impacted by their past criminal history. H₀ The recidivism rate of Polk County inmates is not impacted by their past criminal history.
Hypotheses Two
H₂ The recidivism rate of Polk County inmates is inversely affected by their involvement in substance abuse programs while incarcerated. H₀ The recidivism rate of Polk County inmates is not affected by their involvement in substance abuse programs while incarcerated. Hypotheses Three
H₃ The recidivism rate of Polk County inmates is inversely affected by their involvement in faith-based programs while they are incarcerated. H₀ The recidivism rate of Polk County inmates is not affected by their involvement in faith-based programs while they are incarcerated. Hypotheses Four
H₄ The recidivism rate of Polk County inmates is inversely affected by their participation in re-entry programs. H₀ The recidivism rate of Polk County inmates is not affected by their participation in re-entry programs. END OF SECOND SUBMISSION
BEGINNING OF THIRD SUBMISSION
CHAPTER II: METHODOLOGY
Research Design
In an attempt to prove or disprove the hypotheses, the following questions must be researched: Is the recidivism rate of Polk County inmates impacted by each inmate’s past criminal history? Is the recidivism rate of Polk County inmates inversely affected by their involvement in substance abuse programs? Is the recidivism rate of Polk County inmates inversely affected by their involvement in faith-based programs? Is the recidivism rate of Polk County inmates inversely affected by their participation in re-entry programs? The appropriate research will determine whether or not the recidivism of Polk County inmates has a direct, inverse, or spurious relationship with inmates’ criminal histories, involvement in substance abuse programs, involvement in faith-based programs, and participation in re-entry programs. Appendix A graphically and implicitly depicts the relationship between the dependent variable (the recidivism rate of Polk County inmates) and the independent variables (criminal histories, substance abuse programs, faith-based programs, and re-entry programs).
Utilizing secondary data analysis and multiple variable regression techniques, the direct relationship between the variables will be determined.
The factors that compromise the internal validity of this study can include other happenings that may have affected the recidivism rate, the manner in which the sample population was selected, and possible differences in the way certain pieces of information were collected . Conducting a multiple variable regression analysis will provide internal validity to each of the variables, regardless of other happenings that may have an influence on the dependent variable. The fact that the population sample will include all inmates released in a one year period will ensure that the inmate population is reflected accurately. Additionally, the internal validity can also be solidified because the information in the Polk County Sheriff’s Office database has been audited and is consistently collected and stored in the same manner over the time period that will be analyzed.
Although information for this study is being limited to inmates and programs offered in Polk County, external validity can be provided as there are adequate similarities to recidivism studies conducted across the nation. External validity can be reinforced once the results are calculated; the results can be compared with the studies conducted across the nation (much like what was conducted in the literature review).
The hypotheses formulated are based on information collected and available from other studies conducted on the dependent and/or independent variables. This study would also be of use for researchers conducting literature review in preparation for a similar study. Population and Sample
Since the study will focus on three years after the release of an inmate, the population of this study will be adult inmates who were released from jail into the community (not transferred to prison) between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2007. The average number of inmates booked in and out of the Polk County jail each year is approximately 30,000 . Therefore, given the appropriate formula, a sample size with a 95% confidence level, data on a total of 395 inmates would need to be reviewed (see Appendix B).
However, given the advantage of data already in existence, information will be able to be obtained and analyzed on all inmates booked out of the Polk County Jails for the entire year. Therefore, the sample size of the study will be the entire inmate population booked out in the year 2007. This will provide a clear and concise representation of the actual inmate population, including gender, race, age, charges, programs, etc., and eliminate the concern for sample bias and potential non-sampling errors. Variables
Dependent Variable: Recidivism Rate of Polk County Inmates
As revealed through the literature review, the definition of recidivism varies greatly. Before research on variables that affect the recidivism rate of Polk County inmates can commence, the term “recidivism” must be defined specifically for this study. As the Pew Center on the States (2011) defined recidivism operationally as the rate at which prisoners returned to prison, it might stand to reason that the period of time that should be measured is the lifetime of the offender. While such studies would be useful and more accurate, however, it is impractical to conduct such long term studies if more immediate results are needed to alter the influences of the current recidivism rate. The literature review already conducted provides good validity for the formulated hypotheses and the ensuing research focused on Polk County inmates.
After reviewing the variations of research already conducted by the Pew Center on the States, the Bureau of Justice Statistics, and the Florida Department of Corrections, as well as considering each of the research questions, for this particular study, recidivism will be conceptually defined as the rate in which adults who have previously been arrested in Polk County, Florida, are subsequently arrested and booked into the Polk County Jail for a separate crime or for a violation of the terms of their initial sentence within three years of their release. The parameters of this provide for the ability to gather more immediate results in order to increase the likelihood of decreasing the crime rate even further. Independent Variable I: Criminal History
An individual’s criminal history is operationally defined as information retained in local, state, and federal databases that document convictions for prior criminal offenses committed by an individual . As established in the literature review, the types of crimes an individual commits tend to be indicative of the likelihood of committing another crime. For instance, a study conducted by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (2002) indicated that those individuals who had committed property crimes were the ones mostly likely to be re-arrested. For purposes of this study, criminal histories will be operationally defined as the number and type of crime (either property crime or persons crime) for which an individual participating in the study has previously been arrested and booked into the Polk County Jail. Independent Variable II: Substance Abuse Programming
Statistics overwhelmingly indicate that alcohol and substance abuse are directly linked to the commission of crime. The Bureau of Justice Statistics (2005) reported that individuals who fell with the parameters of substance abuse or dependence criteria (as established by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) were at least two times more likely to have at least three prior convictions. Treatment programs or services can range from counseling, detoxification, self-help, group therapy, and basic education (2005).
For purposes of measuring the effect of substance abuse programs on the recidivism of Polk County inmates, the program being evaluated is the JASA (Jail Alcohol and Substance Abuse) Program. This program is operated within the jail to inmates who volunteer for the program or are sentenced to participate during their incarceration and consists of education, counseling, and group therapy . When pulling existing data on the inmates, we will ask for each individual who participated in this program to be identified for operational purposes. Independent Variable III: Faith-Based Programming
Faith-Based programs operated in detention facilities across the nation vary widely in their modes of operation. However, the one commonality is that they are built on religious or morality-based philosophies . While such programs may or may not include life-skills training, it is not necessarily inclusive to the purpose of this study. Studies on this topic have been conducted in a limited manner. The analysis of this independent variable will definitely be of use to others looking for such information, providing even more external validity. The operational definition of this variable for the purposes of this study is any inmate who participates in the faith-based program. The participants of this program are inmates who apply to the program, cannot have had a violent criminal history, are classified as minimum security, and assigned to a separate housing area. The faith-based dorm operates under the auspices of a Detention Counselor and utilizes volunteers from area churches and religious-based organizations. The data gleaned from the Sheriff’s Office database will indicate which inmates were housed in the faith-based dorm. Independent Variable IV: Re-entry Programming
While limited studies on this topic exist, the results indicate varied success. Re-entry programs are operationally defined as programs that provide resources to an inmate to assist them in their transition back into the community. Such services can include individual case management, housing assistance, job placement, rehabilitation services, and mentoring . Although results seem to vary, this is one variable that would on the surface appear to have the most potential because by design it provides accountability and the resources are tailored to meet each released inmate’s individual, unique needs. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with a non-profit group named Hope Now . They are utilizing a building on the property of the Central County Jail, just outside the fence line. Inmates are paired with the program before being released from the jail. Once in the program, they are offered life-skills training, job-skills training, supervised housing, and mentoring, providing a program that transitions them into the community based on their individual performance and success (2011).
The operational definition of a re-entry program will be based on an inmate’s involvement in the Hope Now program, since this is the one that is tracked and monitored. Data Collection
The main method of research will be to conduct secondary data analysis on data available through the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. O’Sullivan, Rassel, and Berner (2008) explain that secondary data is information collected by an entity for purposes other than the specific research. Analysis of such information allows for a more cost effective manner in which to conduct research. Such analysis is also less time consuming (2008).
Having been given the responsibility to operate the county jails in Polk County, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office operates and maintains a database containing vital information on each individual booked into the Polk County Jails. Among many things, the information collected and stored includes name, gender, age, charges, and housing assignment for each inmate, which would be crucial in analyzing the information necessary for this study (2011).
O’Sullivan, et al., (2008) wisely counsels researchers that locating a database is not sufficient unless access to the information can be granted to the researcher. Under broad public record laws, however, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office would be required to release this information to a researcher upon request. One of the reasons the definition of recidivism is being limited to re-arrests in Polk County, however, is due to the fact that a criminal history cannot legally be run on inmates for purposes other than a criminal investigation. Therefore, Polk County data will only be used. In the larger picture, not to minimize the reoccurrence of crime, but if the purpose is to decrease the crime rate in Polk County, the rearrests in Polk County are the only ones that need to be tracked. Measuring Instrument / Materials / Associated Costs
Specifically, a letter will be written to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office asking them to provide data on all inmates who booked out of the Polk County Jail between January 1 and December 31, 2007 (see Appendix C).
The requested data will include gender, race, year of birth, if the inmate had been charged with a property crime, if the inmate had been charged with a personal crime, if the inmate had been charged with a violent crime, if the inmate had been housed in the faith-based dorm, if the inmate had participated in the JASA program, if the inmate had been released to the Hope Now program, if the inmate had been transferred to prison, and if the inmate had been rebooked into the Polk County Jail since their release in 2007. It is necessary to identify the inmates who had been released from prison so they can be removed from the population sample as their presence would skew the numbers.
The letter will not be delivered via postal service, but will be delivered in person to the Commander of the Department of Detention, Chief Bryant Grant, after making an appointment. In this meeting, the proposal will be presented, pointing out the benefit of conducting such research, answering any questions, and asking for an estimated cost to gather the information requested. It is customary for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office to advise an individual who has made a public records request how much it will cost prior to them filling the request. It will be necessary for computer programmers to manipulate the data into a format conducive to research, preferably an Excel document, so it can be converted easily into an SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) program. However, the amount of necessary time is not yet known. It is possible that the Polk County Sheriff’s Office will recognize the benefit of such research and gather the data at their cost, knowing they will utilize the resulting analysis.
Materials associated with this research are minimal, also keeping costs to a minimum. Since surveys are not necessary to gather this data, the costs associated (the paper, envelopes, postage, time, and effort) to administer a survey, whether online, telephonically, via mail, or in person, are not applicable. The only unknown is the costs associated with the labor the Polk County Sheriff’s Office will need to utilize to gather the data from their database. Data Analysis
Information gathering is not useful in and of itself. Proper interpretation and analysis of the gleaned data is necessary to either prove or disprove the hypotheses and null hypotheses. Accurate data can result in inaccurate results if the analysis is flawed. The use of secondary data already gathered by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, regarding an inmate’s past criminal history, as well as their involvement in substance abuse, faith-based, or re-entry programs, will allow for a subsequent multiple variable regression analysis. Doing such an analysis will determine the correlation coefficient values, providing internal validity to each of the variables and identifying how closely they relate to one another, regardless of other happenings that may have an influence on the dependent variable. The data will be gathered from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in an Excel format and converted into an SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) for this analysis. END OF THIRD SUBMISSION
BEGINNING OF LAST SUBMISSION ALONG WITH ENTIRE PAPER AND ALL CORRECTIONS AND APPENDICES
CHAPTER III: ANTICIPATED FINDINGS
An extensive literature review has been conducted on recidivism, as well as the effects of an individual’s criminal history, substance abuse programming, faith-based programming, and re-entry programming on the recidivism rate. The research already conducted by reputable and reliable sources provides a clear indication as to what can be expected by this research proposal. Additionally, a research plan has been developed, based on sound principles of research and methodology, as well as valid data. Given the findings of the literature review coupled with the sound research methodology to be employed, the anticipated findings are expected to unequivocally support the hypotheses.
The anticipated findings of the proposed research will include the finding that inmates with past criminal charges will have a higher rate of recidivism than those without. Therefore, the multiple variable regression analysis plotting will denote a positive relationship, indicated by an upward slope. Additionally, the research is anticipated to reveal an inverse relationship between the recidivism rate and participation in substance abuse, faith-based, and re-entry programming. Therefore, the multiple variable regression analysis plotting will denote a negative relationship, indicated by a downward slope. Upon concluding the research and analyzing the results, all hypotheses will be supported and all null hypotheses will be refuted. CHAPTER IV: CONCLUSION
Public administrators across the nation are held responsible for the wellbeing of their constituents. A large part of their constituent’s wellbeing is based on public safety; government officials across the nation shoulder this responsibility. One way to increase and maintain public safety is to ensure the individuals committing crimes do not continue a pattern of criminal behavior. It has often been said that the most accurate predictor of future behavior or action is an individual’s past behavior or action.
The literature review of this issue reveals multiple studies conducted across the nation that support the idea that certain indicators can reveal the individuals at the most risk for recidivism. An individual’s criminal history is one of those indicators. Therefore, if these individuals can be identified and provided with resources that will assist them in living a crime-free life, the public’s safety will have been improved.
Programming and resources available to inmates have been researched to determine the most successful. Specifically, substance abuse programming, faith-based programming, and re-entry programming have all proven to reduce an inmate’s likelihood of recommitting crime. While the results range from limited success to resounding success, they have all indicated some degree of success. Therefore, these principles could be applied to a specific inmate population and expected to produce a level of success. Implications
For the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the implications of this research are significant. Having already driven crime levels down to record lows, and now maintaining minimal decreases , the Polk County Sheriff’s Office needs to explore and enhance methods that will reduce crime even further. The results of this research will not result in the recommendation of creating new programs, which would be costly. Having already implemented substance abuse, faith-based, and re-entry programming on a smaller scale, such research would only recommend further expansion and enhancement of existing programs, which would not be cost prohibitive. This research will assist the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in reducing the crime rate and reducing the jail population – which will result in a safer community and reduced costs. Recommendations
Since the implications of this study are great, it is recommended that the Executive Staff of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office ensure that the programming proven to be successful at reducing recidivism is maintained and expanded (as feasible).
Additionally, once those program enhancements are implemented, it is recommended that the Sheriff’s Office continue retaining information regarding the inmates involved in the program and recreate the research in another three year period. This will ensure the effectiveness and the cost efficiency of the selected programs. If the programs are not providing a benefit to the tax payer, the government officials should not invested in them.
References
Armour, M., Windsor, L., Aguilar, J., & Taub, C. (2008).
A Pilot Study of a Faith-Based Restorative Justice Intervention for Christian and Non-Christian Offenders. Journal of Psychology and Christianity , 27 (2), 159-167. Barnett, C. (2009, May 1).
