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PREP begins inside the prison system with complete job readiness training, housing and life skills programs. • With felony recidivism costs surpassing $43,000[1] per prisoner per year, the economic impact to taxpayers is $43 million for 1,000 prisoners. As Second Chance graduates obtain permanent employment with entry level positions averaging $10.41[2] per hour, the region accrues several benefits: a reduction in the $43 million tax burden, fewer prisoners, and new contributions to the local economy. • Second Chance PREP participants who graduate from the program, have a 70% chance of finding and keeping jobs with successful integration back into their communities. More importantly, these graduates have broken the cycle of re-offending.[2] • PREP Reduces Recidivism. A study found that ex-offenders who graduated from the PREP program were significantly less likely to return to prison (recidivate) than ex-offenders who did not participate in PREP. In broad terms, about 30 percent of PREP graduates recidivated within two years, compared to nearly 70 percent for those who did not participate in PREP. The recidivism rate of the study’s control group (non-PREP participants) matched the overall recidivism rate of California parolees. Download and read the full report. • PREP Increases Confidence/Motivation among Parolees. The percentage of participants who felt that "they were very or extremely prepared to find a job" more than doubled over the course of the program.[3] • PREP Reduces Depression among Parolees. The percentage of PREP clients with clinical levels of depression was reduced by more than 50 percent.[3]
[1] The Rising Costs of Incarceration: Criminal Investment Decisions, [2] Based on the Cal State San Marcos Study. [3] Based on the study "Strive San Diego Mental Health Services Evaluation" completed by Measurement and Evaluation Research Group, SDSU Foundation Department of Psychology, San Diego State University. Download the full report. |
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