What Works (and Doesn't) in Reducing Recidivism

What Works (and Doesn't) in Reducing Recidivism offers criminologists and students an evidence-based discussion of the latest trends in corrections. Experts Latessa, Johnson, and Koetzle translate the research and findings about what works and doesn't work in reducing recidivism into understandable concepts and terms, presenting them in a way that illustrates the value of research to practice. Over the last several decades, research has clearly shown that rehabilitation efforts can be effective in reducing recidivism among criminal offenders, but it is clear that treatment is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Offenders vary by gender, age, crime type, and/or addictions, to name but a few ways, and these individual needs must be addressed by providers. Finally, issues such as leadership, quality of staff, and evaluation efforts affect the quality and delivery of treatment services.

While other texts have addressed issues regarding treatment in corrections, this text is unique in that it not only discusses the research on what works but also addresses the implementation issues faced as practitioners move from theory to practice, as well as the importance of staff, leadership, and evaluation efforts.

This book synthesizes the vast research for the student interested in correctional rehabilitation as well as for the practitioner working with offenders.

Edward J. Latessa received his PhD from The Ohio State University and is Director and Professor of the School of Criminal Justice at the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Latessa has published over 175 works in the area of criminal justice, corrections, and juvenile justice and has directed over 195 funded research projects, including studies of day reporting centers, juvenile justice programs, drug courts, prison programs, and intensive supervision programs, and he has received numerous awards. In 2013 Latessa was identified as one of the most innovative people in criminal justice by a national survey conducted by the Center for Court Innovation in partnership with the Bureau of Justice Assistance and the U.S. Department of Justice.

Shelley L. Johnson (formerly Listwan) is Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She received her PhD in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati in 2001. She has also served on the faculty at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and Kent State University. She has extensive experience with evaluation research and best practices in corrections with both adults and youth.

Deborah Koetzle is Associate Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice and Executive Officer of the Doctoral Program in Criminal Justice at John Jay College of Criminal Justice/The Graduate Center, City University of New York. She received her PhD in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati in 2006. Her research interests center on effective interventions, risk assessment, program implementation and fidelity, and cross-cultural comparisons of prison-based programs and practices.