The Bureau of Justice Assistance Releases Brief on Improving Recidivism Data Collection

WASHINGTON, Oct. 7, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) today announced the release of a new policy brief, "Improving Recidivism as a Performance Measure." The brief is a collaboration between BJA and the Urban Institute.

Improving recidivism data collection and reporting is a critical first step to advancing knowledge about what works in sentencing and corrections policy. The brief outlines the necessary elements to guide states in defining, collecting, analyzing, and disseminating recidivism data.

The authors offer a blueprint for gathering a broad range of reoffending indicators, accurately comparing across groups and over time, and using the results to inform decision making and improve outcomes.

This policy brief sets the stage for the next generation of policy-relevant and action-oriented recidivism research at the state level. 

TITLE: Improving Recidivism as a Performance Measure

AUTHORS: Brian Elderbroom, Ryan King

WHERE: https://www.bja.gov/Publications/UI-ImprovingRecidivism.pdf.

The Office of Justice Programs, headed by Assistant Attorney General Karol V. Mason, provides federal leadership in developing the nation's capacity to prevent and control crime, administer justice and assist victims. OJP has six components: the Bureau of Justice Assistance; the Bureau of Justice Statistics; the National Institute of Justice; the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; the Office for Victims of Crime and the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering and Tracking. More information about OJP can be found at www.ojp.gov

SOURCE U.S. Department of Justice - Office of Justice Programs