Recidivism and Workforce Development Project
The Problem
In 2013, 23,989 individuals were released from prison in New York State. Over half of these individuals are considered "high-risk" for reconviction, and it is estimated that in the five years after release, they will spend an average of 460 days incarcerated per person. Recidivism is costly to government, dangerous for public safety, and harmful to formerly incarcerated individuals and their families.
The Basics
Location: Rochester and New York, NY
Policy area: Recidivism, workforce development
Population served: 2,000 formerly incarcerated individuals under community supervision who are at high-risk of returning to prison
Service provider: Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO)
Size of investment: $13.5 million
Maximum payments possible: $23.5 million (includes cost of intermediary and evaluation)
Investors: 40+ investors including Bank of America Merrill Lynch private and institutional investors, The Robin Hood Foundation, and the Laura and John Arnold Foundation
Intermediary: Social Finance
Other partners: Harvard Kennedy School SIB Lab (technical assistance), Jones Day (legal assistance), The Rockefeller Foundation (credit enhancement)
Evaluators: New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Research, New York State Department of Labor Research
Validator: Chesapeake Research Associates
Evaluation methodology: Randomized control trial
Outcome payors: U.S. Department of Labor and NYS Department of Labor
Outcomes that yield payments: (1) Recidivism bed days avoided, (2) indication of positive earnings after release from prison, (3) number of members who start a CEO transitional job
Timeframe: 4 year service delivery term; 5.5 year repayment term and evaluation period
Project start: December 1, 2013
Photo via Shutterstock.
The Intervention
Intervention: Comprehensive employment services from CEO provide five days of life skills training, place participants in short-term transitional jobs, and provide one-on-one job search support. After job placement, participants are supported by job retention specialists.
Evidence base behind the intervention: A 2012 randomized control trial showed reductions in recidivism of 16 to 22 percent, particularly for participants with the highest risk of recidivating. The study also found short-term increases in employment and suggested that the program could be cost beneficial.
The effectiveness of the intervention for the target population was evaluated, and the service provider had provided this intervention previously.