A first-of-its-kind study in Australia is looking at ways to support sex offenders to restart their lives after prison. Research shows this can reduce recidivism by 88%.
The effective response to crime has always been a matter of debate. But evidence is mounting in favour of treatment and support, rather than punishment.
Residents and small business in a poor community in Cape Town.
EPA/Nic Bothma
Through stories of redemption, a professor who oversees a Maryland prison education program says the time has come to restore federal financial aid for America’s incarcerated.
Former Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy speaks with inmates.
AP Photo/Pat Eaton-Robb
In a pilot program, older prisoners sentenced to life mentor younger prisoners who have a chance to lead productive, lawful lives when they get out. The focus is on healing trauma.
Many have been displaced by violence in the Central African Republic.
EPA/Stringer
New research shows that when ex-offenders are told they’re able to vote, their attitudes about democracy and justice improve. A November ballot measure in Florida hangs in the balance.
Stigmatising and shaming ex-offenders hampers efforts to reintegrate them into society.
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Jenni Henderson, The Conversation e Josh Nicholas, The Conversation
Business Briefing: the business of prisons
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Prisons are big business in Australia. Companies not only run entire prisons but provide many of the services. But what does the research say about the impact?
Use of data-driven risk assessments in sentencing may be heard by the Supreme Court.
Karen Neoh/flickr
The Supreme Court may soon hear a case on data-driven criminal sentencing. Research suggests that algorithms are not as good as we think they are at making these decisions.
Inmates wait to enter an assigned cell block at the Deuel Vocational Institution in Tracy, California.
AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File
Repealing a legal provision that excludes people in prison or jail from Medicaid could improve access to treatment, save state and local governments money and reduce recidivism.
Up to 90% of Australian female prisoners were victims of abuse prior to incarceration.
AAP Image/Dave Hunt
Reducing stubbornly high levels of violence can be achieved if there is a focus on ensuring that children are not exposed to violence or toxic stress at home.
What helps ex-offenders avoid rearrest?
Stephen Lam/Reuters
Case management from nurses combined with peer coaching from ex-offenders helps recently released parolees avoid the behavior that got them locked up in the first place.
How do government agencies make decisions?
Flowchart diagram via shutterstock.com
Data-driven algorithms drive decision-making in ways that touch our economic, social and civic lives. But they contain inherent biases and assumptions that are too often invisible to the public.
Doing time: successful prisons have to ensure prisoners’ time is well spent.
Anthony Devlin/PA
President Obama wants to reopen access to Pell grants to prisoners. Studies show when men and women enroll in college programs, they are less likely to return to prison.