An evaluation of re-entry : the effectiveness of the Citizen Circle in Ohio to aid inmates in their return to society

Abstract

Each year, the United States incarcerates more individuals than any other industrialized country in the world. Currently, over five million Americans are incarcerated or have been incarcerated. As astonishing as the aforesaid is, there is no comparison to the recurrent individuals who recidivate each year. In the State of Ohio, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections has begun placing emphasis on the importance of reentry and reintegration through the implementation of the Citizen Circle Program. In an effort to determine if the efforts are working, participants in Mahoning County, Ohio, will individually state whether or not reentry and reintegration efforts are working effectively. In addition, the same participants will be asked where the program could be improved. A survey was done of Citizen Circle volunteers and ex-offenders. Overall, both groups had favorable opinions of the program. Future research could delve further into whether or not the program reduces recidivism and could also serve as a way that the participants could in turn, give back to the community by becoming a member of the Citizen Circle committee.