The National Institute of Justice funded the Center for Court Innovation, NPC Research, and RTI International to complete a multi-site, multi-year series of evaluations of eight reentry courts created by the federal government's 2007 Second Chance Act. The evaluations—listed below—include an impact evaluation, a cost-effectiveness study, and a multi-year process evaluation.
Reentry courts work to address the often overwhelming obstacles confronting formerly incarcerated individuals, specifically as applies to recidivism and the search for stable employment. The courts created by the Second Chance Act were one of several strategies supported by the act to facilitate this transition. The specialized courts work to improve public safety through the use of judicial oversight and targeted reintegration services.
Reentry Court Research: An Overview of Findings from the National Institute of Justice’s Evaluation of Second Chance Act Adult Reentry Courts
By Shannon M. Carey, Michael Rempel, Christine H. Lindquist, Amanda Cissner, Lama Hassoun Ayoub, Dana Kralstein, and Anna M. Malsch
This culminating study from the multi-year series of evaluations identifies the key processes setting the most successful of the Second Chance Act Adult Reentry Courts apart, concluding that the specialized courts differ in their approaches and, as a result, in their effectiveness. A primary goal of the study is to contribute to the development of a “true” reentry court model. (December 2017)
The National Institute of Justice’s Evaluation of Second Chance Act Adult Reentry Courts: Program Characteristics and Preliminary Themes from Year 1
By Christine H. Lindquist, Jennifer Hardison Walters, Michael Rempel, and Shannon M. Carey
The results of the first process evaluation of the eight specialized reentry courts participating in the study. Among the major findings, the eight sites all employed an evidence-based risk/need assessment tool and targeted moderate- and/or high-risk offenders. (March 2013)
The National Institute of Justice’s Evaluation of Second Chance Act Adult Reentry Courts: Staff and Client Perspectives on Reentry Courts from Year 2
By Christine H. Lindquist, Lama Hassoun Ayoub, Debbie Dawes, Paige M. Harrison, Anna M. Malsch, Jennifer Hardison Walters, Michael Rempel, and Shannon M. Carey
The report summarizing the results of the second process evaluation concluded that organizational partnerships were critical to the success of the reentry courts and identified several common implementation challenges. The report also found that, although certain areas could be improved (for example, employment and housing), most reentry court participants had positive impressions of the program. (October 2014)
The National Institute of Justice's Evaluation of Second Chance Act Adult Reentry Courts: Lessons Learned About Implementation and Sustainability
By Christine H. Lindquist, Lama Hassoun Ayoub, and Shannon M. Carey
This report summarizes the lessons learned in implementing the Second Chance Act Adult Reentry Courts. It also presents final implementation findings based on three years of process evaluation site visits and is the last in the series of three process evaluation reports. (January 2018)