Coming Home to Harlem

Coming Home to Harlem: A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Harlem Parole Reentry Court
Source
Center for Court Innovation
Lama Hassoun Ayoub, Tia Pooler
First page of document "Coming Home to Harlem"

This study of the Harlem Parole Reentry Court compares participants in a neighborhood-based reentry program to similar parolees on traditional parole. Results indicate that the reentry court, which implemented a validated and reliable tool for assessing the risks and needs of individuals returning from prison, produced a 22% reduction in the reconviction rate and a 60% reduction in the felony reconviction rate over an 18-month follow-up period. The reentry court also produced a 45% reduction in revocations. Interview findings indicate that reentry court parolees were significantly more likely to be in school or employed and to have positive perceptions of their parole officer.