California Black Media

Report: Recidivism in California Prison System Remains High

Despite providing educational and employment programs and reentry pathways, recidivism in California prisons remains high, derailing the rehabilitative mission of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). The department launched various programs in 2005 to reduce recidivism and help formerly imprisoned people transition back into the workforce and society. According to a report by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC), the two-year reconviction rate decreased by 7% in 2019. However, 62% of people released from prison between 2015 and 2019 were rearrested and 37% were reconvicted for any crime.

Published

2 years ago

August 19, 2024

Oakland Post

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By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

The department launched various programs in 2005 to reduce recidivism and help formerly imprisoned people transition back into the workforce and society.

According to a report by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC), the two-year reconviction rate decreased by 7% in 2019. However, 62% of people released from prison between 2015 and 2019 were rearrested and 37% were reconvicted for any crime.

Participation in rehabilitative employment programs increased from 8% in 2015 to 30% in 2019 in prisons statewide, according to the report.

State prisons also hired over 200 new academic and vocational instructors, growing participation in educational programs by 9%. Prisons offered career technical education (CTE) programs to supplement existing primary and secondary education classes. These programs improved the reading and math skills of imprisoned individuals.

“On average, people entering prison tested into primary education with eighth-grade level reading scores and sixth- to seventh-grade level math skills,” the report reads.

A majority of the people reconvicted were charged with a drug offense or possession. More than half of the people who get rearrested participate in rehabilitation programs. However, people with previous prison histories and shorter sentences were less likely to participate in educational and employment programs. Yet, people with longer prison sentences had a higher participation rate in rehabilitative employment and educational programs.

“On another front, substance abuse may pose the greatest obstacle to successful reentry — a threat that has likely grown amid the opioid and fentanyl crisis. Ensuring broader access to substance use disorder treatment should be a priority,” the report stated.