Arizona State University – Crime and Justice News
Maryland has succeeded in reducing its prisoner count and its crime rate simultaneously, while also cutting the rate of repeat imprisonment of former inmates, says a new report from the Open Society Institute-Baltimore and JFA Institute.
The state’s model is based on an incentive-based system that encourages inmates to take part in “risk-reduction programs” and behave well in prison.
Four key elements are involved in the state’s treatment of inmates, the report says:
- A validated risk/needs-based system that is completed at the point of admission.
- Development of standardized case plans designed to address the inmate’s risk and needs.
- A re-assessment risk-based system that to reduce prisoners’ risk levels based on their compliance with the case plan.
- Parole guidelines driven by the risk/needs system and inmates’ participation in risk reduction activities.
