We want the trend of recidivism rates in Vermont to go down.

The data tell us that the average recidivism rate has remained consistent over time. It is common for recidivism rates to remain unchanged due to the nature of the measure. The goal is for this trend to go down.

The Recidivism rate reflects the average risk level of individuals existing Vermont prisons and reentering the community. The data reports on prisoners (a person sentenced to serve more than one year) released between 2002 and 2009. These prisoners were followed for three years in court disposition records and corrections daily housing records to assess of they had been charged with a new crime or returned to prison for more than 90 days.

AHS is currently using this tool to assess our agency contribution to reducing the rate of recidivism in Vermont. One Agency cannot turn the curve alone; there are many partners who have a role to play making a difference.

Updated in May, 2014

Recidivism in Vermont is a population-level problem. While the Agency of Human Services (AHS) and its Departments are working to reduce the rate of recidivism in Vermont, AHS recognizes that preventing recidivism is something many other specific partners are accountable for.

In the Agency strategic planning process for reviewing our strategic plan population-level results and indicators, each of the partners below was identified as having a contributing role to play in improving this population-level indicator for the state of Vermont.

• Ex-Offenders
• Family Members
• Communities
• Agency of Human Services
  
  • Department of Children and Families
  • Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living
  • Department of Mental Health
  • Department of Health
  • Department of Vermont Health Access
• Agency of Education
• Agency of Labor
• Vermont Judiciary
• State’s Attorney’s
• Defender General’s Office
• Community Justice Centers
• Local Community Leaders
• Local Law Enforcement
• Designated Agencies
• Treatment providers
• Housing providers
• Business Leaders

Research shows that reductions in recidivism can be made by addressing both the risk to reoffend and the criminogenic needs of individuals engaged in the criminal justice system. Research also indicates that resources are used more effectively when they are focused on higher-risk rather than lower-risk offenders.

Offenders have a variety of needs, some of which are directly linked to criminal behavior. These are referred to as criminogenic needs. They are dynamic risk factors that, when addressed or changed, affect the offender’s risk for recidivism. Examples of criminogenic need are:

• criminal personality
• antisocial attitudes, values and beliefs
• low self-control
• criminal peers
• substance abuse
• dysfunctional family

Based on an assessment of an offender, these criminogenic needs can be prioritized so that services are focused and behaviors can be changed and recidivism is reduced.

The Department of Corrections has defined several strategies that are consistent with the research on recidivism:

1. Use of a new risk and needs instrument to identify criminogenic needs.
2. All risk reduction programming is based on offender risk and criminogenic needs.
3. Increase the use of motivational interviewing, a style and method of communication used to help people overcome their ambivalence regarding behavior change.
4. Increase efforts around reentry by establishing reentry units at certain correctional facilities and designating specific reentry staff. These staff will work collaboratively with state and community providers to design and implement offender transition plans.

The Department of Correction was awarded two Second Chance Act Grants to address recidivism:

1. The Comprehensive Adult Recidivism Reduction grant. The focus of this grant is to develop plans that incorporate effective strategies for reducing recidivism and enhancing public safety. The Department is engaging stakeholders to develop an plan to submit to the Department of Justice.
2. The Adult Reentry Demonstration Program. The focus of this grant is to identify a target population of high- risk offenders who will receive risk-informed restorative reintegration services at statewide Community Justice Centers (CJC). Reintegration Specialists and trained citizen volunteers utilize evidence-based practices to enhance intrinsic motivation and foster meaningful civic connection to reduce recidivism.