Reentry and release
What works: evidence for prison programs and cash at release
Randomized and quasi-experimental evidence on money at release (Georgia-Texas TARP, Baltimore LIFE, California's Returning Citizens Stimulus, guaranteed-income pilots), release allowances across states, Georgia's current release money, California's prison model, and reentry employment programs
Where this research is used
This page is a research collection: individual facts drawn from the sources listed further down, each traced to where it came from. A research topic brings many collections together into one overview of an issue. The facts on this page feed these 4 topics; open one to see how they fit with the rest of the evidence.
Budget & Spending
Georgia's prison budget sat near $1.1 billion for roughly eight years, then climbed 57 percent to a $1.91 billion peak in fiscal year 2025 before settling at $1.745 billion for fiscal year 2027. The money went overwhelmingly to health care contracts, locking systems, cameras, and bed capacity — not to education, rehabilitation, or independent oversight. Across two budget cycles GPS can document roughly $27.1 million in new surveillance and security spending against about $1.2 million in new rehabilitation spending, a ratio of about 22 to 1.
12,394 data points
Policy & Advocacy
Georgia has passed criminal justice reform in bursts — 2012, 2017, 2025 — while repeatedly declining the structural changes that its own study committees and the U.S. Department of Justice identified as necessary. This page maps the enacted record, the proposals GPS and allied advocates have advanced, the cost models attached to them, and the 2026 electoral field, using the figures each source actually reports.
8,846 data points
Recidivism & Reentry
Georgia reports one of the lowest recidivism rates in the country — 25 to 27 percent — but that figure counts only new felony convictions within three years, ignores technical violations of supervision, and removes people who die during the window. National data that count arrests over longer periods, and Georgia's own rising reconviction series, tell a different story: the state's three-year felony reconviction rate reached 30.7 percent for the fiscal year 2022 release cohort, the highest in its published 2011–2022 series. What separates the people who come back from those who do not is largely age, whether they completed programming, and whether anyone meets them at the gate with more than $25 and a bus ticket.
13,511 data points
Reform Models & Programs
Georgia's own reconviction data show that people who complete vocational, educational, or cognitive programming return to prison at lower rates than the general prison population — vocational completers at 13.64 percent against a 26.06 percent baseline in the fiscal 2021 release cohort. A deep national evidence base backs that pattern: RAND found correctional education participants had 43 percent lower odds of recidivating and roughly $4 to $5 returned per dollar spent. Yet Georgia's statewide vocational education budget is $172,000, a university prison program was shut down in 2024, and the U.S. Department of Justice found programming had been 'slashed rather than expanded.' The distance between what the evidence supports and what the department delivers is the defining fact of Georgia's reform landscape.
14,390 data points
Key Findings
The most impactful data from this research collection. Tap a card for the full finding and its source.
The finding
A Filter magazine article reports that a sign in the Georgia Braille Transcribers shop at Central State Prison states the program has a zero-percent recidivism rate, and that of the 100-plus Library of Congress-certified braille transcribers who have paroled out, none have returned to prison.
The finding
The NIJ evaluation of seven Second Chance Act adult demonstration programs found that in the 30 months following random assignment, program group members were no less likely to be re-arrested, reconvicted, or re-incarcerated than the control group, and their time to re-arrest or re-incarceration was no shorter.
The finding
An American RadioWorks 'Gate money by state' page attributed to the Georgia Department of Corrections as its source states that Georgia inmates receive $25 and a bus ticket upon release, and are referred to appropriate services.
The finding
GDC's Recidivism Rate (Felony Reconviction) by calendar year of release for all inmate facilities was 26.90 in 2011, rising to 31.10 by 2022; GDC publishes this rate broken down by facility type (e.g. private prisons, state prison IBCs, county CI, transition centers), not by age at release.
The finding
Recidivism rates for the recently-released CEO subgroup during the first year of follow-up were 35 percent for the program group compared with 47 percent for the control group, a difference of 12 percentage points representing a 26 percent reduction in recidivism.
The finding
Local News Matters/Bay City News reported that 'a $239 million state-of-the-art learning center was empty over the weekend at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center as part of a statewide change in operations due to "staffing shortages" at prisons with open positions that currently cannot be filled due to state budget constraints.'
The finding
Baltimore LIFE subjects assigned to a financial-aid group were told they could receive $60 a week for 13 weeks, a total of $780.
Source
The finding
BJS's Table 4 shows that an estimated 66,200 prisoners age 24 or younger at release had cumulative arrest percentages of 46.9%, 64.0%, 72.3%, 77.6%, and 81.0% across the five years following release.
The finding
Among higher-risk ETJD participants, program group members were 12 percentage points less likely to be incarcerated in prison than higher-risk control group members, while there was no statistically significant difference in rates of incarceration in prison between lower-risk program and control group members.
The finding
At a Georgia Board of Corrections meeting, the Budget/Utilities Committee recommended, and the Board approved by motion, that the discharge money an inmate/parolee or max-out offender receives at discharge be changed from $25 to a maximum of $50.
The finding
The Vera Institute/Georgetown Center on Poverty and Inequality report 'Investing in Futures' states that RAND's meta-analysis found the odds of recidivating for postsecondary education participants are 48 percent less than the odds for nonparticipants, with an odds ratio of 0.52, which the report's authors used to model a state-level recidivism rate estimate.
Source
The finding
The Filter magazine article reports that when someone challenged the braille program's zero-recidivism statistic by suggesting there had been a single case of recidivism, GBT staff combed through 17 years of records until they found a name none of them remembered, which they doubted belonged to someone who had actually gotten certified.
The finding
In the same BJS table, state prisoners released who were age 65 or older at release had a cumulative arrest percentage of 40.1 by Year 10.
The finding
The RCS program was implemented in 28 cities and provided over $24 million in support to more than 10,000 returning citizens before it ended in April 2021.
Source
All Data Points
197 verified data points extracted from primary sources.
Braille program claimed zero-percent recidivism Finding
A Filter magazine article reports that a sign in the Georgia Braille Transcribers shop at Central State Prison states the program has a zero-percent recidivism rate, and that of the 100-plus Library of Congress-certified braille transcribers who have paroled out, none have returned to prison.
Cumulative return-to-prison by age at release, year 10 Statistic
BJS Table 8 shows cumulative return-to-prison percentages for state prisoners released in 18 states in 2008: 69.0% for the '24 or younger' age-at-release group, 63.5% for '25-39', and 53.0% for '40 or older' by the tenth year following release.
69% vs. 53 40 or older age group
CDCR three-year conviction rate, FY2020-21 release cohort Statistic
CDCR reports that the three-year conviction rate for the 30,116 individuals in the Fiscal Year 2020-21 release cohort is 39.5 percent.
39.5%
Colorado SB 24-012 cash assistance amount Finding
The bill created the Reentry Workforce Development Cash Assistance Pilot Program in the Colorado Department of Corrections to provide up to $3,000 in cash assistance to individuals recently released from incarceration who enroll in a workforce service or training program.
WSIPP benefit-cost: employment counseling and job training with paid work experience Statistic
WSIPP's adult criminal justice benefit-cost results list employment counseling and job training with paid work experience in the community with total benefits of $6,812, taxpayer benefits of $3,047, non-taxpayer benefits of $3,764, costs of ($6,556), benefits minus costs of $255, a benefit to cost ratio of $1.04, and a 50% chance benefits will exceed costs, last literature review Aug 2016.
$6,812 vs. 6,556 program costs
Source
Vera/Georgetown modeled prison expenditure reduction at 25% Pell-eligible postsecondary participation Statistic
The Vera Institute/Georgetown Center on Poverty and Inequality 'Investing in Futures' report modeled that combined annual state prison expenditures would decrease by $182.9 million (range $132.8M–$234.3M) if 25% of the Pell-eligible population participated in postsecondary education.
$182.9M
Source
Georgia statute sets discharge money range $25–$150 Legal fact
O.C.G.A. § 42-5-61 requires GDC to provide a discharged, paroled, or conditionally released inmate transportation, an amount of money of not less than $25.00 and not more than $150.00 as determined by Board regulations, and a travel kit and suitable clothing when appropriate.
82 braille certifications earned in FY20 Statistic
GDC's Inmate Services Impact Report states that through partnerships with the Georgia Institute of Technology at Emanuel Women's Facility and the Georgia Department of Education at Central State Prison, 82 braille certifications were earned during FY20.
82 certifications
Rearrest rate highest among youngest federal offenders Statistic
The U.S. Sentencing Commission found the rearrest rate was highest among federal offenders younger than 21 (67.6%) and those ages 21 to 24 (66.6%), declining in each subsequent age group.
67.6% vs. 66.6 ages 21-24
CDCR FY2020-21 release cohort size Statistic
The Fiscal Year 2020-21 release cohort tracked by CDCR comprised 30,116 individuals.
30,116 people
Colorado SB 24-012 estimated total cost first fiscal year Statistic
The Legislative Council Staff fiscal note estimated total cost of up to $7,494,960 in the first fiscal year, combining cash assistance ($6,813,600) and contractor administration costs ($681,360).
$7.5M
WSIPP benefit-cost: correctional industries Statistic
WSIPP's adult criminal justice benefit-cost results list correctional industries (program costs include expenditures and revenue) with total benefits of $4,975, taxpayer benefits of $1,461, non-taxpayer benefits of $3,514, costs of $0, benefits minus costs of $4,975, and a 96% chance benefits will exceed costs, last literature review May 2024.
$4,975 vs. program costs
Source
Vera/Georgetown modeled prison expenditure reduction at 50% Pell-eligible postsecondary participation Statistic
The Vera Institute/Georgetown Center on Poverty and Inequality 'Investing in Futures' report modeled that combined annual state prison expenditures would decrease by $365.8 million (range $265.7M–$468.4M) if 50% of the Pell-eligible population participated in postsecondary education.
$365.8M
Source
Misdemeanor discharge money $25 or less under Georgia law Legal fact
Under Georgia law, an inmate convicted of an offense less than a felony receives $25.00 or less as determined under Board of Corrections regulations, plus transportation, upon discharge.
FY2017 release cohort: 3-year felony reconviction rates by program Statistic
GDC's Inmate Services Impact Report (edition covering FY2017 releases) reports three-year felony reconviction rates of 28.65% for the general population, 24.93% for cognitive programming completers, 22.61% for educational programming completers, 29.02% for residential substance abuse treatment completers, and 20.17% for vocational programming completers.
28.7% vs. 20.2 vocational programming completers
USSC eight-year follow-up period for recidivism research Methodology note
The U.S. Sentencing Commission selected an eight-year follow-up period for its recidivism research, considering all recidivism events (felonies, misdemeanors, and technical violations) except minor traffic offenses.
CDCR cohort members with no conviction within three years Statistic
CDCR reports that 60.5 percent of the FY2020-21 release cohort (18,230 individuals) successfully completed the three-year follow-up period without a conviction.
60.5%
Colorado SB 24-012 estimated total cost second fiscal year Statistic
The Legislative Council Staff fiscal note estimated total cost of up to $14,989,920 in the second fiscal year, combining cash assistance ($13,627,200) and contractor administration costs ($1,362,720).
$15.0M
WSIPP benefit-cost: work release Statistic
WSIPP's adult criminal justice benefit-cost results list work release with total benefits of $3,759, taxpayer benefits of $1,013, non-taxpayer benefits of $2,746, costs of $616, benefits minus costs of $4,375, and a 99% chance benefits will exceed costs, last literature review Jul 2016.
$3,759 vs. 616 program costs
Source
Vera/Georgetown modeled prison expenditure reduction at 75% Pell-eligible postsecondary participation Statistic
The Vera Institute/Georgetown Center on Poverty and Inequality 'Investing in Futures' report modeled that combined annual state prison expenditures would decrease by $548.7 million (range $398.5M–$702.6M) if 75% of the Pell-eligible population participated in postsecondary education.
$548.7M
Source
Board rule caps felony discharge allowance at $25 Policy
Georgia's Board of Corrections rule sets the discharge monetary allowance for a released felony inmate at not more than $25.00, plus a travel kit and suitable clothing when appropriate, plus a ticket for common carrier transportation to the inmate's home in the United States.
Braille program served 2,800+ students in 2019 Statistic
GDC's press release on the braille program states that during 2019, offenders helped more than 2,800 students by transcribing materials into Braille at no cost to local school districts.
2,800 students
Rearrest rate for offenders 65+ vs. under 21 Statistic
Over an eight-year follow-up, 13.4% of federal offenders age 65 or older at release were rearrested, compared to 67.6% of offenders younger than age 21 at release.
13.4% vs. 67.6 offenders younger than 21
CDCR recidivism measurement methodology Methodology note
CDCR's Office of Research states that it tracks individuals for three years following release, using the three-year conviction rate as its primary recidivism measure, with arrests and returns to prison provided as supplemental measures.
Colorado SB 24-012 estimated annual participants Statistic
The fiscal note estimated that 4,542 individuals would participate in the pilot program per year.
4,542 people
RAND meta-analysis: 22% higher odds of employment for vocational program participants Finding
The Vera Institute/Georgetown Center on Poverty and Inequality report states that RAND's meta-analysis found the odds of being employed were 22 percent higher for vocational program participants than the odds of employment among nonparticipants.
Source
Board rule for below-felony inmates: funds not to exceed $25, no clothing issue Policy
Under Georgia Board of Corrections rule 125-2-4, a state inmate convicted and confined for an offense below the felony level who is lawfully released shall be provided funds in an amount not to exceed $25.00, plus a travel allowance, and no clothing issue is authorized for this type of inmate.
Five former braille transcribers work as independent contractors Statistic
GDC's Inmate Services Impact Report states that currently five former Braille transcribers from the program work as independent contractors for the Georgia Department of Education and other organizations.
5 people
Second Chance Act programs showed no reduction in recidivism Finding
The NIJ evaluation of seven Second Chance Act adult demonstration programs found that in the 30 months following random assignment, program group members were no less likely to be re-arrested, reconvicted, or re-incarcerated than the control group, and their time to re-arrest or re-incarceration was no shorter.
MDRC RCS evaluation used propensity score matching Methodology note
MDRC used propensity score matching to compare recidivism outcomes for RCS participants with a matched, statistically similar comparison group; both groups were released from a CDCR facility during the same time period.
Colorado SB 24-012 assumed 80% participation rate Methodology note
Because the program requires participation in a workforce service or training program, the fiscal note assumed that 80 percent of the eligible population, or 4,488 individuals, would participate, a rate it compared to the state's participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
States funding gate money from inmate wages or commissary deposits Finding
The Marshall Project reports that some states, including Virginia, Wisconsin and Maryland, fund gate money by drawing from inmates' own wages or commissary-account deposits rather than from state appropriations; Virginia's corrections department withholds 10 percent of money transfers from family members to create a $1,000 reserve for each prisoner, and Wisconsin's department diverts 10 percent of prisoners' paychecks.
CEO evaluation sample: 977 former prisoners, 568 program and 409 control Methodology note
Study enrollment for the CEO evaluation was conducted between January 2004 and October 2005 and resulted in a sample of 977 former prisoners: 568 in the program group and 409 in the control group, tracked for three years following random assignment.
JPay release cards capped at $500 under GDC SOP 201.03 Policy
GDC's Standard Operating Procedure on discharge gratuities states that JPay release cards used to pay departing offenders their gratuity plus trust-account balance are limited to a $500.00 maximum, and if the discharge gratuity plus trust account balance exceeds $500.00 the offender receives a check for the balance instead.
FY2016 release cohort: 3-year felony reconviction rates by program Statistic
GDC's Inmate Services Fiscal Year Impact Report (edition covering FY16 releases) reports three-year felony reconviction rates of 27.66% for the general population, 24.37% for cognitive programming completers, 19.03% for GED educational programming completers, 28.19% for residential substance abuse treatment completers, and 18.60% for vocational programming completers.
27.7% vs. 18.6 vocational programming completers
Vocational training rated Promising by CrimeSolutions Finding
CrimeSolutions (National Institute of Justice) rates corrections-based vocational training programs as Promising in reducing recidivism and in having a significant impact on participants' employment and socioeconomic outcomes.
MDRC RCS recidivism study limited to two California counties Methodology note
The MDRC recidivism impact study was geographically limited to Los Angeles and Alameda counties in California, so results may not be generalizable to other program sites.
Colorado SB 24-012 postponed indefinitely Finding
The bill was postponed indefinitely by the Senate Judiciary committee on February 7, 2024; therefore, the impacts identified in the analysis do not take effect.
CEO transitional jobs program significantly reduced recidivism, strongest for early enrollees Finding
CEO's transitional jobs program significantly reduced recidivism, with the most promising impacts occurring among the subgroup of former prisoners who enrolled within three months after release from prison, who were less likely than control group counterparts to be arrested, convicted of a new crime, and reincarcerated.
No discharge gratuity for work release participants absent extraordinary need Policy
GDC's discharge gratuity SOP states that gratuity is not paid to an offender who has participated in a work release program unless extraordinary financial need is established to the Commissioner's satisfaction.
FY23 program completions: Braille 62, OSHA 1,328, Food Truck 145, Welding 248 Statistic
GDC's Fiscal Year Annual Report lists 62 Braille program completions under 'PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS,' alongside 1,328 OSHA, 145 Food Truck, and 248 Welding completions.
62 completions
Source
Transitional Jobs Reentry Demonstration rated Ineffective Finding
CrimeSolutions gives the Transitional Jobs Reentry Demonstration (TJRD) program an Evidence Rating of Ineffective, based on one study.
RCS parole violation rate at 6 months vs. comparison group Statistic
Just 8 percent of RCS participants violated parole in the first 6 months after release, compared with 14 percent of comparison group members, a 6 percentage point difference.
8% vs. 14 comparison group parole violation rate
CEO reduced new convictions by 12.8 percentage points among those with 4+ prior convictions Statistic
Among the CEO study subgroup with four or more prior convictions at study entry, the program reduced convictions for new crimes by 12.8 percentage points, while among the subgroup with fewer prior convictions no statistically significant difference in new convictions was found.
12.8%
Georgia inmates receive $25 and bus ticket per American RadioWorks/GDC Statistic
An American RadioWorks 'Gate money by state' page attributed to the Georgia Department of Corrections as its source states that Georgia inmates receive $25 and a bus ticket upon release, and are referred to appropriate services.
$25.00
GEDs increased 6.3% in FY23 to 1,531 Statistic
GDC's Fiscal Year Annual Report states that General Equivalency Diplomas (GEDs) increased by 6.3% from the prior fiscal year, with 1,531 GEDs earned.
1,531 GEDs vs. 6.3 percent increase from FY22
Source
TJRD ineffective due to no statistically significant effect Finding
CrimeSolutions states the Transitional Jobs Reentry Demonstration program is rated Ineffective because participation in transitional job services had no statistically significant effect, and an Ineffective rating implies implementing the program is unlikely to result in the intended outcomes.
No significant RCS effect on parole violations at 18 months Finding
At the 18-month follow-up, there were no statistically significant differences between RCS participants and the comparison group in parole violations of any type.
States not providing release money information to Marshall Project Data gap
A Marshall Project state survey notes that Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, South Carolina and Texas did not provide information about their release money policies.
CEO evaluation used random assignment design Methodology note
MDRC's evaluation of CEO's transitional jobs program used a rigorous random assignment design, comparing a program group given access to CEO's jobs and services with a control group offered basic job search assistance.
GDC felony reconviction rate rose from 26.90 (2011) to 31.10 (2022) Trend
GDC's Recidivism Rate (Felony Reconviction) by calendar year of release for all inmate facilities was 26.90 in 2011, rising to 31.10 by 2022; GDC publishes this rate broken down by facility type (e.g. private prisons, state prison IBCs, county CI, transition centers), not by age at release.
38 Bachelor's and 87 Associate's degrees awarded in FY23 Statistic
GDC's Fiscal Year Annual Report states that through partnerships with three universities and one college, incarcerated students were awarded 38 Bachelor's degrees and 87 Associate's degrees: Ashland University (24 BA/61 AA), Georgia State University (9 AA), Life University (14 BA/11 AA), and Brewton-Parker College (6 AA).
38 Bachelor's degrees vs. 87 Associate's degrees
Source
Postsecondary correctional education rated Promising Finding
CrimeSolutions rates postsecondary correctional education (PSCE) as Promising, based on three meta-analyses finding significant reductions in recidivism for inmates who participated in PSCE compared with inmates who did not participate.
RCS violent parole violation reduction at 6 and 12 months Statistic
RCS participants were about 2 percentage points less likely to commit a violent parole violation during the 6- and 12-month follow-up periods than comparison group members, with no significant effect at 18 months.
2%
CEO Returning Citizen Stimulus pilot recipients in Colorado Statistic
CEO distributed $1.5 million to 623 Coloradans leaving incarceration as part of its Returning Citizen Stimulus pilot in 2020.
623 people
Brian Kaneda quote on San Quentin reorganization alarm Quote
CalMatters reported that Brian Kaneda, deputy director for Californians United for a Responsible Budget, said the plan to reorganize San Quentin 'set off "a big alarm bell" for prison abolition advocates,' and that 'The last thing California needs is a new philosophy of incarceration led by (the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation), who have proven themselves poor stewards of the public trust.'
CEO first-year recidivism: 35% program vs 47% control (26% reduction) Statistic
Recidivism rates for the recently-released CEO subgroup during the first year of follow-up were 35 percent for the program group compared with 47 percent for the control group, a difference of 12 percentage points representing a 26 percent reduction in recidivism.
26% vs. 12 percentage point difference
TARP run in Georgia and Texas with dedicated staff Case detail
TARP was run in the states of Georgia and Texas, with devoted TARP staffs in each state carrying out administration of treatments and data collection.
Source
FY2021 successful completions by program Statistic
GDC's Fiscal Year Annual Report's 'Successful Completions' table lists 41 completions for Braille Transcription, alongside 4,071 for Culinary, 3,489 for Manufacturing and Distribution, 502 for Welding, 167 for Animal Science, 745 for Building Trades, 519 for Automotive/Diesel, and 30 for Fire Fighting.
41 completions
California Model Normalization pillar definition Finding
CDCR describes the California Model's Normalization pillar as aiming 'to bring life in prison as close as possible to life outside of prison. The more life in prison resembles life in the community, the easier it will be for people to transition and adjust to life in the community upon release.'
RCS reincarceration effects at 18, 24, and 30 months Statistic
The RCS program had no observed effect on reincarceration over 12 months, but participants were roughly 2 percentage points less likely to be reincarcerated at 18 and 24 months and 2.5 percentage points less likely at 30 months; all reincarceration effects were significant only at the 0.1 level.
2.5%
CEO Returning Citizen Stimulus study findings Finding
A study found that a majority of CEO Returning Citizen Stimulus program participants reached intended milestones and qualified for all three monthly payments totaling up to $2,750.
Brian Kaneda quote on San Quentin programming Finding
CalMatters reported Brian Kaneda of CURB said: 'One reason San Quentin isn't on our list for closures is because it has good programming. Now, there's no such thing as a bad prison to close, we would love San Quentin to close, but what happens to the programming there?'
Ready4Work lacked comparison group; lower recidivism suggestive but inconclusive Methodology note
The Ready4Work final research report states that data collection efforts did not include a comparison group, and that using BJS numbers as a rough point of comparison, R4W participants appear to recidivate at a lower rate than a similar population of ex-prisoners, but lacking a comparison group, the researchers do not know why, and that more research involving a comparison group is needed to know to what extent the R4W program is making a difference.
TARP offered unemployment insurance for up to 6 months starting January 1976 Case detail
For 6 months starting in January 1976, some prisoners released from the state institutions of Georgia and Texas were offered eligibility for unemployment insurance payments for periods of up to 6 months or until they found employment, with other released prisoners serving as controls.
Source
87 Associate's and 3 Bachelor's degrees via Ashland University Statistic
GDC's Inmate Services Impact Report states that 87 graduates earned Associate's Degrees and three earned Bachelor's Degrees through Ashland University, which is fully funded through the Second Chance Pilot Pell program.
87 Associate's degrees vs. 3 Bachelor's degrees
California Model Dynamic Security and Peer Mentorship definitions Finding
CDCR describes Dynamic Security as 'an approach that promotes positive relationships between staff and incarcerated people,' accomplished 'through purposeful activities and professional, positive, and respectful communication,' and Peer Mentorship as training 'incarcerated individuals to use their lived experiences to mentor and support their peers.'
Reincarceration findings not robust to selection bias Methodology note
While parole violation outcomes tested as robust against selection bias, the reincarceration outcomes did not, so the reincarceration findings should be interpreted with caution.
Colorado recidivism rate Statistic
A Colorado Sun article, cited by CEO, states Colorado's recidivism rate for the roughly 6,000 people who return from incarceration annually is 28%.
28%
Source
Ready4Work: over 60% of ever-employed participants stayed employed 3+ consecutive months Statistic
The Ready4Work final research report found that more than 60 percent of participants who have ever been employed remained employed for at least three consecutive months during the program, and over half of those employed three consecutive months remained employed for six consecutive months.
60%
TARP was a $3.4-million Department of Labor experiment Statistic
TARP was a $3.4-million U.S. Department of Labor experiment.
$3.4M
Source
1,086 GEDs earned Statistic
GDC's Inmate Services Impact Report states that 1,086 General Equivalency Diplomas (GED) were earned.
1,086 GEDs
CDCR partnership with Amend and Norway visit Finding
CDCR states it 'has partnered with the Amend program at the University of California, San Francisco, and has sent people in leadership positions to Norway to learn how their approach to normalcy in corrections and rehabilitation is lowering recidivism and expanding employee wellness,' with Governor Gavin Newsom quoted: 'While Norway and California are very different, the core of their model is the same as ours.'
RAND correctional education recidivism odds reduction Finding
RAND's meta-analysis found that, among the most rigorous quasi-experimental studies, inmates who participated in correctional education programs had 43 percent lower odds of recidivating than inmates who did not.
Just Income study: 115 treatment, 134 control; $1,000 first month then $600/month Methodology note
Of the Alachua County Just Income study participants, 115 were assigned to the treatment group and received unconditional cash for 12 months, with $1,000 received in the first month and $600 per month for 11 months, while 134 were assigned to the control group and did not receive any monthly payments.
Source
TARP sample totals: 1975 in Texas, 2007 in Georgia Statistic
The TARP target/actual sample totals were 1975 in Texas and 2007 in Georgia, achieved at the end of recruitment, across six experimental/control groups.
2,007 people vs. 1,975 Texas sample
Source
FY2018 release cohort: 3-year felony reconviction rates by program Statistic
GDC's Inmate Services FY21 Report reports three-year felony reconviction rates, based on FY2018 releases, of 25.02% for the general population, 22.47% for cognitive programming completers, 19.55% for educational programming completers, 22.88% for residential substance abuse treatment completers, and 14.84% for vocational programming completers.
25.0% vs. 14.8 vocational programming completers
San Quentin Building 38 $360 million appropriation Statistic
The San Quentin Transformation Advisory Council's report states funding for the Building 38 project at San Quentin 'has already been proposed by the Governor and approved by the Legislature with an appropriation of $360 million,' and recommended the appropriation 'should be reduced substantially, by at least one third.'
$360M
RAND correctional education reincarceration risk reduction Finding
RAND's meta-analysis found participation in correctional education programs is associated with a 13 percentage point reduction in the risk of reincarceration three years following release from prison.
$239 million San Quentin learning center empty amid staffing shortages Case detail
Local News Matters/Bay City News reported that 'a $239 million state-of-the-art learning center was empty over the weekend at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center as part of a statewide change in operations due to "staffing shortages" at prisons with open positions that currently cannot be filled due to state budget constraints.'
Just Income study used mixed-methods RCT design Methodology note
The Center for Guaranteed Income Research conducted a mixed-methods randomized controlled trial (RCT) study of the Just Income guaranteed income program's impacts on various indicators of well-being.
Source
TARP six experimental groups design Methodology note
TARP's six experimental groups in Georgia and Texas were: 26 weeks of benefits at 100% tax (Group 1); 13 weeks at 100% tax (Group 2); 13 weeks at 25% tax (Group 3); job placement services only, no payments (Group 4); interviewed controls (Group 5); and noninterviewed controls tracked only through arrest and earnings records (Group 6).
Source
Nine women first to complete Library of Congress Braille certification Statistic
GDC's Annual Fiscal Report states that in October 2019, Emanuel Women's Facility hosted a Braille Open House and graduation ceremony, recognizing nine female offenders as the first in Georgia to complete the Library of Congress Braille Transcribers Certification course.
9 people
California statute renames San Quentin as Rehabilitation Center Legal fact
A California statute amending Penal Code Section 2020 provides: 'There is and shall continue to be a state prison known as the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center. Any reference to the California State Prison at San Quentin shall be a reference to the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center.'
SB-1304 inflation adjustment provision Finding
SB-1304 provided that, commencing January 1, 2024, and annually thereafter, the department shall adjust the release allowance for inflation based on the California Consumer Price Index.
RAND correctional education employment odds ratio Finding
RAND's meta-analysis found an odds ratio of 1.13 (95 percent confidence interval = 1.07 to 1.20), indicating that the odds of obtaining employment postrelease among inmates receiving correctional education are 13 percent higher than among inmates not receiving correctional education.
Amber-Rose Howard quote on closing prisons Finding
CURB executive director Amber-Rose Howard said 'Based on the number of empty beds, the state could close up to five prisons,' adding 'There is no bad prison to close, just pick one.'
Just Income data collection at baseline, 6, 12, and 18 months Methodology note
Data collection for the Just Income study occurred at four intervals: baseline (January 2022 for the first cohort and March 2022 for the second cohort), 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months.
Source
TARP two treatment types and two tax rates Methodology note
TARP's design included two types of treatments, unemployment insurance payments and job placement, and two levels of tax rates on earnings, 100% (benefits reduced dollar for dollar) and 25% (benefits reduced $.25 for each dollar earned).
Source
No significant overall TARP differences in property arrests Finding
There were no significant overall differences in either state between TARP experimental and control groups in average numbers of arrests on property-related charges during the postrelease year, and no overall differences in other types of arrests not related to property.
Source
Recidivism Rate Reports cover multiple facility types Policy
GDC's statistical trends page states that its Recidivism Rate Reports show three-year felony conviction rates of inmates released from state prisons, private prisons, county prisons, and transition centers, and probationers released from detention centers and probation boot camps.
CEQA exemption for San Quentin projects Legal fact
A California statute provides that CEQA 'does not apply to the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, San Quentin: Demolition of Building 38 and Construction of New Educational and Vocational Center project and the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, San Quentin: Improvement Projects located on the grounds of the San Quentin Reha[bilitation Center].'
RAND correctional education annual cost per participant Statistic
RAND's meta-analysis cited cost sources estimating that the average annual cost of correctional education programs per inmate participant was $1,400 and $1,744, respectively.
$1,400 vs. 1,744 alternative estimate
LAO report: 15,000 empty prison beds rising to 19,000 by 2028 Statistic
A Local News Matters article states, 'According to a 2024 LAO report, taxpayers are paying millions for 15,000 empty prison beds and that number will rise to 19,000 by 2028.'
15,000 empty prison beds vs. 19,000 projected empty beds by 2028
Just Income treatment group experienced lower recidivism than control Finding
The Just Income executive summary reports that the treatment group experienced lower recidivism than the control group, among several reported improvements including improved financial health, increased food security, reduced mental stress, and elevated sense of hope and mattering.
Source
Authors interpret TARP as counteracting effects masking recidivism reduction Finding
The authors interpreted the TARP results as showing counteracting effects: TARP payments did not increase recidivism despite increasing unemployment, suggesting the payments did reduce recidivism but that this effect was masked by an increase in unemployment that in turn increased arrests.
Source
Audit did not assess programming or recidivism outcomes Methodology note
The Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts' special examination of GDC states in a footnote that its cost analysis did not assess outputs such as programming, health care, facility condition, or outcomes such as offender recidivism.
Governor's veto message cited budget cost concerns Legal fact
The Governor's veto message said the Legislature sent measures with potential costs of well over $20 billion in one-time spending commitments and more than $10 billion in ongoing commitments not accounted for in the state budget.
Source
RAND correctional education cost-effectiveness threshold Finding
RAND's meta-analysis estimated that for a correctional education program to be cost-effective from a fiscal/correctional budgetary standpoint alone, it would need to reduce the three-year reincarceration rate by between 1.9 percentage points and 2.6 percentage points to break even.
Just Income: short-term recidivism impact significant but data limitations warrant caution Finding
The Just Income report states the short-term impact of guaranteed income on recidivism was significant, but due to data limitations, these findings should be interpreted cautiously.
Source
Hans Zeisel disputed TARP methodology and conclusions Finding
Consultant Hans Zeisel formally stated, at his own request, that in his opinion the authors' approach in Money, Work, and Crime was incorrect and that their conclusions about the results of the TARP experiments were severely flawed by methodological errors, which the authors said they could not agree with.
Source
FY2014 release cohort: 3-year felony reconviction rates by program Statistic
GDC's Inmate Services Impact Report for FY2017 reports 3-year felony reconviction rates, based on FY14 releases, of 27.63% for the general population, 26.85% for cognitive programming completers, 24.24% for GED completers, 21.69% for RSAT completers, and 20.27% for vocational programming completers.
27.6% vs. 20.3 vocational programming completers
LAO: key questions remain unanswered for California Model Finding
The LAO states that 'key questions will remain about the California Model as a whole' and that '[w]ithout answers to these questions, it is difficult for the Legislature to provide oversight over the development and implementation of the California Model and evaluate any future funding requests.'
Governor noted budget funding for Returning Home Well Policy
The Governor noted that the year's budget included funding for Returning Home Well, which provides housing to those recently released, as well as significant funding for community reentry programs.
Source
RAND meta-analysis scope Methodology note
RAND's meta-analysis examined 71 effect size estimates from 50 studies of correctional education programs spanning 32 years of research, but to provide the best estimate of the causal relationship between correctional education and recidivism it relied on nine effect size estimates from seven studies that received a Level 4 or Level 5 rating on the Maryland Scientific Methods Scale, the most rigorous research designs.
Santa Clara GBI monthly payments $1,200 for two years Statistic
The County of Santa Clara's GBI pilot programs distribute monthly unconditional cash payments of $1,200 for two years, with one targeted outcome being recidivism rates of justice-involved clients.
$1,200
Just Income: full-time employment changes not statistically significant between groups Statistic
At baseline, less than a fifth of Just Income study participants were employed full-time (18 percent control versus 12 percent treatment), and by 18 months only 17 percent of the treatment group versus 15 percent of the control group were employed full-time; a generalized linear model confirmed these changes in full-time employment were not statistically significant over time between groups.
17% vs. 15 percent employed full-time at 18 months (control)
Source
Georgia TARP administration: GDC selected and randomized prisoners Methodology note
In Georgia, the Georgia Department of Corrections selected prisoners for TARP, made the random assignment of prisoners to groups, and provided a research staff that produced a report on the Georgia TARP data, while the Georgia Employment Security Agency assumed overall direction of the project and hired the interviewer staffs.
Source
FY2015 release cohort: 3-year felony reconviction rates by program Statistic
GDC's Inmate Services Impact Report for FY2018 reports 3-year felony reconviction rates, based on FY15 releases, of 27.17% for the general population, 25.91% for cognitive programming completers, 22.29% for GED educational programming completers, 18.56% for residential substance abuse treatment completers, and 18.67% for vocational programming completers.
27.2% vs. 18.6 residential substance abuse treatment completers
LAO: CDCR lacks articulated theory of action for California Model Finding
The LAO states CDCR 'has not articulated how these various interventions fit together to motivate behavior change in a continuum through the prison system from admission to release,' noting 'of the roughly 30,000 people released from prison annually, roughly half spend around a year or less in prison.'
CDCR regulation: release clothing and transportation not deducted from allowance Policy
CDCR's adopted release-allowance regulation provides that the cost of state-provided release clothing and transportation shall not be deducted from the release allowance.
RAND average annual incarceration cost per inmate Statistic
RAND's meta-analysis estimated the average annual cost per inmate of incarceration to be $28,323 and $31,286 from two different data sources, and assuming a mean incarceration length of stay of 2.4 years, calculated average incarceration costs of between $67,975 and $75,086.
$28,323 vs. 31,286 alternative estimate
Santa Clara GBI targeted outcome: recidivism rates Policy
The County's stated targeted outcome for the justice-involved GBI pilot is the recidivism rates of justice-involved clients.
CEO website: 22% reduction in recidivism and $3.30 taxpayer benefit per $1.00 spent Statistic
CEO's own website states that, 'by the numbers' for 'More Than A Job,' there was a 22% reduction in recidivism and $3.30 in taxpayer benefits for every $1.00 spent on the program.
22% vs. 3.3 taxpayer benefit per $1.00 spent
Source
Baltimore LIFE recruitment: 432 men in four groups Statistic
Recruitment of subjects for the Baltimore LIFE project began in October 1971 and continued for 21 months until June 1973, at which time 432 men were in the study, 108 in each of the four groups.
432 men
Source
FY2019 release cohort: 3-year felony reconviction rates by program Statistic
GDC's Inmate Services report (edition covering FY2019 releases) reports three-year felony reconviction rates of 23.06% for the general population, 18.38% for educational programming completers, 19.33% for cognitive programming completers, 15.4% for vocational programming completers, and 25.16% for residential substance abuse treatment completers.
23.1% vs. 15.4 vocational programming completers
LAO recommends legislative report and rejection of remaining resources Policy
The LAO recommends 'that the Legislature adopt budget bill language requiring the administration to submit a report by January 10, 2026 that answers the key questions outlined above,' and to '[r]eject [r]emaining [r]esources [u]nless [a]dministration [i]s [a]ble to [p]rovide a [c]lear [p]lan for SQRC.'
California budget: $12.9 million for Returning Home Well in 2025-26 and 2026-27 Statistic
The Governor's proposed 2025-26 California budget includes $12.9 million General Fund in 2025-26 and 2026-27 to continue the Returning Home Well program supporting transitional housing for people released from state prison.
$12.9M
Santa Clara GBI goal to launch remaining three pilots by end of 2025 Policy
As of this page, the County's goal was to launch the remaining three pilots targeting unhoused high school students, justice-involved clients, and young parents by the end of 2025.
CEO policy brief: recidivism declines 22% when formerly incarcerated people can work Statistic
CEO's policy brief on the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act states that when formerly incarcerated people are able to work, recidivism rates decline by 22%, with a footnote citing MDRC.
22%
Baltimore LIFE random assignment within 16 categories Methodology note
Eligible candidates for the Baltimore LIFE project were assigned to one of the experimental or control groups by random assignment within one of 16 categories formed by the cross-classification of three characteristics (work experience, age, marital status).
Source
FY2021 release cohort: 3-year felony reconviction rates by program Statistic
GDC's Inmate Services Impact Report (edition covering Fiscal Year 2021 releases) reports three-year felony reconviction rates of 26.06% for the general population, 20.98% for educational programming, 13.64% for vocational programming, 22.93% for cognitive programming, and 27.77% for residential substance abuse treatment.
26.1% vs. 13.6 vocational programming
LAO: CDCR lacks robust cost-effectiveness evaluations of parole programs Data gap
The LAO states that the department 'generally lacks robust evaluations of the actual cost-effectiveness of its parole rehabilitation programs,' though 'some metrics exist about participants.'
CEO Returning Citizens Stimulus served count Statistic
CEO's own RCS program page reports, as of November 2, 2021, 10,501 returning citizens served.
10,501 people
Rossi-Zeisel TARP methodological debate citations Methodology note
The Rossi-Zeisel methodological debate over TARP played out in four journal articles: Berk, Lenihan and Rossi's 'Crime and Poverty: Some Experimental Evidence from Ex-Offenders' (American Sociological Review, vol.45, no.5, pp.766-786); Zeisel's 'Disagreement over the Evaluation of a Controlled Experiment' (American Journal of Sociology, vol.88, no.2, pp.378-389); Rossi, Berk and Lenihan's 'Saying It Wrong with Figures: A Comment on Zeisel' (AJS vol.88, no.2, pp.390-393); and Zeisel's 'Hans Zeisel Concludes the Debate' (AJS vol.88, no.2, pp.394-396).
Source
CEO reduced recidivism 16-22% among those enrolled within three months of release Statistic
MDRC's random-assignment evaluation of the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) transitional jobs program found that, among the subgroup of former prisoners who enrolled within three months after release, CEO reduced recidivism (arrest, conviction, and reincarceration) by 16 percent to 22 percent.
16% vs. 22 percent (upper bound)
Baltimore LIFE financial aid: $60/week for 13 weeks, total $780 Statistic
Baltimore LIFE subjects assigned to a financial-aid group were told they could receive $60 a week for 13 weeks, a total of $780.
$780.00
Source
BJS: 46.3% of ages 55-64 arrested by Year 5 Statistic
In BJS's table of state prisoners released and tracked for a multi-year follow-up, those ages 55 to 64 at release had a cumulative arrest percentage of 46.3 by Year 5.
46.3%
San Quentin learning center funding reduced to $239 million Statistic
The LAO states '[t]he 2023-24 Budget Act authorized $360.6 million (subsequently reduced to $239 million as recommended by the advisory council) in lease revenue bond authority for the construction of a new learning center at SQRC, which is expected to be completed in early 2026,' containing '28 classrooms (nearly triple the existing classroom space at the prison) a library, a media center, staff offices, a large multipurpose gathering space, a café, and a store.'
$239M vs. 360.6 original authorization
California release allowance of $200 unchanged for decades Finding
Senator Josh Becker's office states that California has provided a release allowance of $200 to individuals upon release from CDCR for post-release expenses, an amount that has remained unchanged for decades.
CEO Returning Citizens Stimulus largest conditional cash transfer Finding
CEO's own page states that with over $24M distributed, the RCS program is the largest-ever conditional cash transfer to formerly incarcerated individuals.
SVORI arrest reductions: 14% adult men, 48% adult women, 25% juvenile males Statistic
The SVORI multi-site evaluation found significant effects of SVORI program participation on arrests following release, with SVORI program participation associated with a 14% reduction in arrests for adult men, a 48% reduction for adult females, and a 25% reduction for juvenile males over the fixed follow-up periods.
14% vs. 48 percent reduction in arrests (adult females)
Source
CEO employment gains faded after first year Trend
The CEO evaluation found that the program substantially increased employment early in the three-year follow-up period, but that effect faded, and after the first year employment and earnings were similar for the program and control groups.
Baltimore LIFE financial aid had no effect on other arrests Finding
In the Baltimore LIFE experiment, financial aid had no effect on other kinds of arrests such as disorderly conduct, assaults, drug possession charges, driving violations, and a few rape and homicide charges.
Source
BJS: 25.6% of age 65+ arrested by Year 5 Statistic
In BJS's table, state prisoners released who were age 65 or older at release had a cumulative arrest percentage of 25.6 by Year 5.
25.6%
San Quentin advisory council released 44 recommendations Finding
The LAO states that in May 2023 'Governor Newsom convened an advisory council to recommend changes at SQRC in line with the California Model framework as a pilot to potentially be scaled up,' and '[i]n January 2024, the advisory council released a report containing 44 recommendations,' including recommending 'single-celling the entire prison.'
$1.8 million investment to end release-allowance deductions Statistic
Senator Josh Becker negotiated a $1.8 million investment to address the practice of deducting transportation and clothing costs from an incarcerated individual's release allowance.
$1.8M
CEO Returning Citizens Stimulus geographic reach Statistic
CEO's own page states that since April 2020, CEO has transferred payments to more than 10,000 people across 28 cities, while focusing on New York City, Los Angeles, Oakland, Detroit, New Orleans, and Tulsa.
10,000 people
SVORI effects not observed at 24 months, only at 56 months Finding
The SVORI evaluation found that the strong positive effects observed at 56 months were not observed at 24 months after release, when nonsignificant positive effects were observed, suggesting follow-up periods longer than 2 years may be necessary to observe positive effects on criminal behavior and criminal justice system interaction.
Source
ETJD program costs ranged from about $7,000 to $11,100 per program group member Statistic
ETJD program costs ranged from about $7,000 to $11,100 per program group member.
$7,000 vs. 11,100 dollars (upper bound)
National Manpower Policy Task Force favored more research after LIFE Finding
After considering the design, methodology, implementation and results of the Baltimore LIFE project at a January 1975 meeting, the National Manpower Policy Task Force overwhelmingly favored more research, which fed into the design of the follow-on TARP experiments.
Source
Georgia included in BJS 34-state recidivism study Methodology note
Georgia was one of the 34 states included in BJS's recidivism study of that state prisoner release cohort.
California Model activities build on existing work without new resources Finding
The LAO states that many California Model activities (resource teams, honor dorms, staff training, normalization efforts) 'build on work that had already been under way for several years,' and 'these activities have largely been done without requests for additional resources.'
Gate-money investment expected to benefit ~10,000 annually Statistic
The gate-money investment is expected to benefit approximately 10,000 individuals each year who are affected by the release-allowance deductions.
10,000 people per year
ETJD overall results mixed Finding
The overall ETJD confirmatory analysis is mixed: the programs increased earnings in the last year of the follow-up period, but there were no statistically significant impacts on the amount of child support paid or on a broad measure of recidivism.
Transitional jobs programs did not significantly affect recidivism Finding
MDRC's Transitional Jobs Reentry Demonstration final report found that the transitional jobs programs did not significantly affect key measures of recidivism over the two-year follow-up period: about half of each group were arrested, and a similar number returned to prison, with most prison admissions for parole rule violations rather than new crimes.
Source
ETJD: no significant broad recidivism impact, but 12-point reduction in prison incarceration among higher-risk participants Finding
MDRC's final impact report on the Enhanced Transitional Jobs Demonstration (ETJD) found no statistically significant impact on a broad measure of recidivism across the three ETJD programs targeting people returning from prison, but found a statistically significant 12-percentage-point reduction in incarceration in prison among higher-risk participants across the three sites in the 30 months following study enrollment, an effect that largely reflected the Indianapolis program.
Mallar and Thornton reanalysis of LIFE in Journal of Human Resources Finding
Mallar and Thornton's reanalysis of the LIFE experiment was published in the Journal of Human Resources, volume XIII, number 2 (Spring 1978), pages 208-236, and obtained almost identical results to Rossi, Berk and Lenihan's using a probit model.
Source
BJS: 81.0% of age 24 or younger arrested by Year 5 Statistic
BJS's Table 4 shows that an estimated 66,200 prisoners age 24 or younger at release had cumulative arrest percentages of 46.9%, 64.0%, 72.3%, 77.6%, and 81.0% across the five years following release.
81%
California Model tracking metrics and expected reductions Policy
The LAO states CDCR's California Model planning and implementation team 'indicates that it is tracking data related to drug overdoses, self-harm, misconduct, rehabilitative program participation, and post-release connection services as a starting point for measuring the impacts of the California Model,' and 'is expecting to see reductions in violence, use of force, and allegations of staff misconduct.'
RCS maximum payments of $2,750 per participant Statistic
CEO's Returning Citizens Stimulus (RCS) program provided eligible participants up to three monthly payments totaling up to $2,750 per person if they reached program milestones.
$2,750
Source
ETJD reduced prison incarceration for higher-risk participants Finding
The three ETJD programs targeting people returning from prison reduced incarceration in prison among those at higher risk of reoffending, although there was no statistically significant impact on a broad measure of recidivism.
Transitional Jobs Reentry Demonstration random assignment design Methodology note
The Transitional Jobs Reentry Demonstration used a random assignment design in which men recently released from prison were assigned to a transitional jobs program or to a program providing basic job search assistance but no subsidized jobs, with the research team tracking both groups using state data on employment and recidivism.
Source
ETJD: one program reduced recidivism, several others did not Finding
MDRC's ETJD report found that one program targeting people returning to the community from prison reduced recidivism, but several other ETJD programs for the same population did not.
GDC Offender Handbook: $25 check and seasonal clothing at release Policy
GDC's Offender Orientation Handbook states that upon discharge, parole, or other lawful release, an offender receives clothing appropriate to the season and a check for $25 with the order for discharge, parole, or other lawful release; an offender released to the custody of another agency will not receive a check.
Source
BJS: 74.4% of ages 25-39 arrested by Year 5 Statistic
BJS's Table 4 shows that an estimated 203,600 prisoners ages 25-39 at release had cumulative arrest percentages of 38.3%, 55.2%, 64.6%, 70.4%, and 74.4% across the five years following release.
74.4%
California Model goals include reducing overdoses, self-harm, homicides, suicides Policy
The LAO states the memorandum cited goals including improving health and well-being with a focus on reducing trauma and toxic stress, reducing recidivism, and reducing incidents of use of force, staff assaults, overdoses, self-harm, homicides, suicides, grievances, self-isolation, and admissions to Mental Health Crisis Beds.
RCS served 10,517 returning citizens in 11 months Statistic
The RCS program provided cash assistance to 10,517 returning citizens in just 11 months.
10,517 people
Source
ETJD higher-risk participants 12 percentage points less likely incarcerated Finding
Among higher-risk ETJD participants, program group members were 12 percentage points less likely to be incarcerated in prison than higher-risk control group members, while there was no statistically significant difference in rates of incarceration in prison between lower-risk program and control group members.
San Quentin west block maintenance complaints Quote
A guest commentary by Kevin D. Sawyer, identified as a former associate editor of San Quentin News, states: 'On each of the five floors of the west block building at San Quentin State Prison is a maintenance sheet that lists year-round problems,' quoting maintenance complaints: '"Water leaking in cell from chase again" was written by a prisoner on a maintenance sheet on the first floor.'
CEO strongest recidivism reductions for highest-risk former prisoners Finding
An Urban Institute/MDRC subgroup analysis of the CEO transitional jobs evaluation found that CEO had its strongest reductions in recidivism for former prisoners at highest risk of reoffending, for whom it reduced the probability of rearrest, the number of rearrests, and the probability of reconviction two years after random assignment.
Source
Board of Corrections May 2021 approved raising discharge money to $50 maximum Policy
At a Georgia Board of Corrections meeting, the Budget/Utilities Committee recommended, and the Board approved by motion, that the discharge money an inmate/parolee or max-out offender receives at discharge be changed from $25 to a maximum of $50.
BJS: 60.5% of age 40+ arrested by Year 5 Statistic
BJS's Table 4 shows that an estimated 138,400 prisoners age 40 or older at release had cumulative arrest percentages of 29.9%, 44.1%, 51.8%, 56.8%, and 60.5% across the five years following release, with a sub-breakdown of 116,100 aged 40-54 having rates of 31.6%, 46.5%, 54.8%, 59.9%, and 63.8%.
60.5%
California Model four pillars defined Policy
The LAO describes the four pillars from the CDCR/Receiver memorandum as 'Dynamic Security,' 'Normalization,' 'Peer Support,' and 'Trauma Informed Organization,' defining Dynamic Security as 'an approach to security that promotes positive relationships between staff and incarcerated people through purposeful activities and professional, positive, and respectful communication.'
72 percent of RCS enrollees consented to study Statistic
About 72 percent (7,605) of 10,517 RCS enrollees consented to participate in the MDRC study.
72%
Source
ETJD Indianapolis site recidivism reduction Finding
In the Indianapolis ETJD site, the program reduced the broad measure of recidivism by about 6 percentage points: 67 percent of the program group had a criminal justice event compared with 74 percent of the control group. There was no statistically significant reduction in recidivism in Fort Worth, and the New York City program led to a small increase in this measure of recidivism, and the difference in impacts among sites is statistically significant.
RAND meta-analysis: 48% lower odds of recidivism for postsecondary education participants Statistic
The Vera Institute/Georgetown Center on Poverty and Inequality report 'Investing in Futures' states that RAND's meta-analysis found the odds of recidivating for postsecondary education participants are 48 percent less than the odds for nonparticipants, with an odds ratio of 0.52, which the report's authors used to model a state-level recidivism rate estimate.
48% vs. 0.5 odds ratio
Source
Board of Corrections April 2021 motion to raise discharge money from $25 to $50 Policy
At a Georgia Board of Corrections meeting, a Board member made a motion to increase, from $25 to $50, the amount of inmate re-entry money that a parolee or max-out offender receives at discharge, which the Chairman referred to the Board's Budget/Utilities Committee.
BJS: 89.5% of age 24 or younger arrested by Year 10 Statistic
In BJS's multi-year follow-up table of state prisoners released in 24 states, 89.5% of those age 24 or younger at release were arrested by Year 10.
89.5%
CDCR Secretary and federal Receiver issued joint memorandum announcing California Model Policy
The Secretary of CDCR and the federal Receiver who oversees prison medical care issued a joint memorandum on April 4, 2023 announcing the department's implementation of the California Model, expressing concern that prison environments can be unfavorable to health and well-being and operate at cross purposes to rehabilitative efforts.
CEO engaged MDRC to evaluate RCS Case detail
Concurrent with the launch of RCS, CEO engaged MDRC to conduct an evaluation of the program.
Source
TARP Georgia parolee sample size Statistic
TARP data are available on 1,975 Texas parolees and 2,007 Georgia parolees, with released prisoners assigned to six groups using a stratified random procedure.
2,007 people
GBT zero-recidivism statistic challenged; 17 years of records searched Finding
The Filter magazine article reports that when someone challenged the braille program's zero-recidivism statistic by suggesting there had been a single case of recidivism, GBT staff combed through 17 years of records until they found a name none of them remembered, which they doubted belonged to someone who had actually gotten certified.
BJS: 56.1% of ages 55-64 arrested by Year 10 Statistic
In the same BJS table, state prisoners released who were ages 55 to 64 at release had a cumulative arrest percentage of 56.1 by Year 10.
56.1%
RCS funded by Justice and Mobility Fund Finding
CEO launched RCS with an investment from the Justice and Mobility Fund, a collaboration of the Ford Foundation and Blue Meridian Partners, with support from the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies and other philanthropic organizations.
Source
WSIPP correctional education (post-secondary) benefit-cost Statistic
WSIPP's adult criminal justice benefit-cost results list correctional education (post-secondary) with total benefits of $32,788, taxpayer benefits of $9,965, non-taxpayer benefits of $22,823, costs of ($2,260), benefits minus costs of $30,528, a benefit to cost ratio of $14.51, and a 97% chance benefits will exceed costs, last literature review May 2024.
14.5 benefit-cost ratio
Source
CEO Colorado page searched for payment/stipend terms with no match Data gap
A search of the CEO Colorado location page (https://web.archive.org/web/20260214195910id_/https://www.ceoworks.org/locations/colorado, retrieved 2026-11-11) for '$500', '$1,000', '$2,750', 'stipend of', 'payments of' and 'receive $' returned no match.
Source
BJS: 40.1% of age 65+ arrested by Year 10 Statistic
In the same BJS table, state prisoners released who were age 65 or older at release had a cumulative arrest percentage of 40.1 by Year 10.
40.1%
RCS operated through 32 reentry organizations in 28 locations Statistic
CEO partnered with a network of 32 reentry organizations to operate RCS in 28 locations across the United States.
32 organizations
Source
WSIPP correctional education (vocational) benefit-cost Statistic
WSIPP's adult criminal justice benefit-cost results list correctional education (vocational) with total benefits of $8,653, taxpayer benefits of $2,845, non-taxpayer benefits of $5,808, costs of ($2,069), benefits minus costs of $6,584, a benefit to cost ratio of $4.18, and an 88% chance benefits will exceed costs, last literature review Sep 2024.
4.2 benefit-cost ratio
Source
CEO WIOA policy brief searched for 30% terms with no match Data gap
A search of the CEO Policy Brief on the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (https://www.ceoworks.org/policy-brief/the-workforce-innovation-and-opportunity-act, retrieved 2026-11-11) for '30%', '30 percent' and 'up to 30' returned no match.
Georgia included in BJS 24-state recidivism study Methodology note
Georgia was one of the 24 states included in BJS's recidivism study of that state prisoner release cohort with a multi-year follow-up.
RCS expanded under Returning Home Well in August 2020 Policy
In August 2020, RCS was expanded as part of the Returning Home Well initiative, which provided services such as housing, transportation, and employment support for Californians returning home from prison after July 1, 2020.
Source
WSIPP correctional education (combined) benefit-cost Statistic
WSIPP's adult criminal justice benefit-cost results list correctional education (combined) with total benefits of $15,337, taxpayer benefits of $4,792, non-taxpayer benefits of $10,545, costs of ($1,907), benefits minus costs of $13,430, a benefit to cost ratio of $8.04, and a 100% chance benefits will exceed costs, last literature review Apr 2024.
8.0 benefit-cost ratio
Source
Santa Clara County GBI pilot page searched for justice-involved findings with no match Data gap
A search of the Santa Clara County Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) Pilot Programs page (https://ceo.santaclaracounty.gov/divisions-and-offices/administration/guaranteed-basic-income-gbi-pilot-programs, retrieved 2026-11-11) for 'reduced recidivism by', 'percent of participants', 'evaluation found' and 'findings from the justice-involved' returned no match.
BJS: conviction-arrest rates by age at Year 10 Statistic
BJS's Table 7, for state prisoners released in 22 states in 2008, shows cumulative conviction-arrest percentages for the '24 or younger' age-at-release group rising to 78.6% by the tenth year following release, for '25-39' to 72.5%, and for '40 or older' to 59.1%.
78.6% vs. 59.1 age 40 or older
RCS employment rate rose from 30% at 2 months to 44% at 5 months Statistic
In the two-month follow-up survey, 30 percent of respondents reported being employed; this increased to 44 percent in the five-month follow-up survey.
44% vs. 30 employment rate at two-month follow-up
Source
WSIPP correctional education (basic skills) benefit-cost Statistic
WSIPP's adult criminal justice benefit-cost results list correctional education (basic skills) with total benefits of $8,462, taxpayer benefits of $2,696, non-taxpayer benefits of $5,766, costs of ($1,392), benefits minus costs of $7,070, a benefit to cost ratio of $6.08, and a 99% chance benefits will exceed costs, last literature review Apr 2024.
6.1 benefit-cost ratio
Source
MDRC cautions employment increase not attributable to RCS Methodology note
The MDRC report states it is not possible to infer that the RCS program caused the increase in employment observed between the two-month and five-month follow-up surveys.
Source
WSIPP employment counseling and job training benefit-cost Statistic
WSIPP's adult criminal justice benefit-cost results list employment counseling and job training (transitional reentry from incarceration into the community) with total benefits of $42,941, taxpayer benefits of $13,148, non-taxpayer benefits of $29,793, costs of ($2,980), benefits minus costs of $39,961, a benefit to cost ratio of $14.41, and an 87% chance benefits will exceed costs, last literature review Aug 2016.
14.4 benefit-cost ratio
Source
RCS criminal justice outcomes deferred to second report Methodology note
The study team was seeking administrative data on criminal justice outcomes; if obtained, the fourth research question would be addressed in a second report scheduled for early 2022.
Source
RCS launched April 2020 as cash transfer program Case detail
CEO's Returning Citizens Stimulus program was a cash transfer program launched in April 2020 that offered financial support to returning citizens during the critical period just after release, funded by Blue Meridian Partners on behalf of the Justice and Mobility Fund and evaluated by MDRC.
Source
RCS provided over $24 million to more than 10,000 returning citizens Statistic
The RCS program was implemented in 28 cities and provided over $24 million in support to more than 10,000 returning citizens before it ended in April 2021.
$24M
Source
RCS average payment $2,256; 93% received two or three payments Statistic
RCS participants received a total of $2,256 in payments on average; nearly 93 percent received two or three payments, and only 7 percent received only the first payment.
$2,256
Source
RCS analysis sample of 6,508 participants Methodology note
The MDRC RCS evaluation's intake survey covered cities including Colorado Springs, Denver, Detroit, Harrisburg, Los Angeles, Marin County, New Orleans, Oakland, Oklahoma City, and Philadelphia, with 6,508 participants in the analysis sample of the 7,605 who consented.
Source
MDRC RCS study objective: implementation and economic outcomes, not RCT Methodology note
The main objective of MDRC's RCS study was to examine implementation and measure immediate and near-term economic outcomes and well-being of participants, rather than a randomized controlled experimental design.
Source
Former CDCR lieutenant criticizes California Model staffing Quote
A former CDCR lieutenant and critic of the California Model, identified by Corrections1 as Ferrel, said in an interview: "You have these brand, spanking new, inexperienced officers being led to the slaughter. Security measures are non-existent."
Sources
72 cited sources backing this research.
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Key Entities
Organizations, people, facilities, and other named entities referenced in this research.
Amber-Rose Howard
[person]
Amend
[organization]
Ashland University
[organization]
Baltimore LIFE
[program]
Blue Meridian Partners
[organization]
Brewton-Parker College
[organization]
Brian Kaneda
[person]
Bureau of Justice Statistics
[organization]
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
[organization]
California Legislative Analyst's Office
[organization]
California Model
[program]
California Penal Code section 2713.1
[legislation]
Californians United for a Responsible Budget
[organization]
Center for Employment Opportunities
[organization]
Center for Guaranteed Income Research
[organization]
Central State Prison
[facility]
Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies
[organization]
Colorado Department of Corrections
[organization]
Colorado Senate Judiciary Committee
[organization]
CrimeSolutions
[program]
Emanuel Women's Facility
[facility]
Enhanced Transitional Jobs Demonstration
[program]
Ferrel
[person]
Ford Foundation
[organization]
GA R&R - GAC - Subject 125-2-4
[legislation]
Gavin Newsom
[person]
GBT
[program]
GDC SOP 201.03
[organization]
Georgetown Center on Poverty and Inequality
[organization]
Georgia Board of Corrections
[organization]
Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts
[organization]
Georgia Department of Corrections
[organization]
Georgia Department of Education
[organization]
Georgia Employment Security Agency
[organization]
Georgia State University
[organization]
Georgia Tech
[organization]
Hans Zeisel
[person]
Josh Becker
[person]
JPay
[organization]
Just Income
[program]
Justice and Mobility Fund
[organization]
Kevin D. Sawyer
[person]
Legislative Analyst's Office
[organization]
Life University
[organization]
Mallar
[person]
MDRC
[organization]
National Institute of Justice
[organization]
National Manpower Policy Task Force
[organization]
O.C.G.A. § 42-5-61
[legislation]
RAND Corporation
[organization]
Ready4Work
[program]
Reentry Workforce Development Cash Assistance Pilot Program
[program]
Returning Citizen Stimulus
[program]
Returning Citizens Stimulus
[program]
Returning Home Well
[program]
San Quentin Rehabilitation Center
[facility]
San Quentin Transformation Advisory Council
[organization]
Santa Clara County
[organization]
Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors
[organization]
Santa Clara County Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot Program
[program]
SB-1304
[legislation]
Second Chance Act
[legislation]
Second Chance Pilot Pell program
[program]
SVORI (Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiative)
[program]
Sydney Kamlager
[person]
TARP
[program]
The Marshall Project
[organization]
Thornton
[person]
Transitional Jobs Reentry Demonstration
[program]
U.S. Department of Labor
[organization]
U.S. Sentencing Commission
[organization]
Urban Institute
[organization]
Vera Institute of Justice
[organization]
Virginia Department of Corrections
[organization]
Washington State Institute for Public Policy
[organization]
Wisconsin Department of Corrections
[organization]