Implementation Science Study on Race and Treatment Fidelity in a Residential Reentry Center in Virginia
Faculty Advisor Name
Dr. Amanda Teye
Department
Department of Political Science
Description
This research paper is an exploratory study that seeks to determine if client race impacts program implementation and program retention among men in a residential reentry center (RRC) in rural Virginia. Individuals exiting the criminal justice system face many obstacles to successful reintegration into their communities, and race can compound such barriers, (So, 2014). RRCs provide needed support to people recently released from incarceration as they reintegrate into their community. Much research on RRCs has focused on their impact on lowering the rate of client recidivism, (Lowenkamp & Latessa, 2004). Clients’ program retention was found to be an area not thoroughly examined in the RRC research (Andrews & Bonta, 2007). Further, little is known about the obstacles that people of color face within these settings, particularly in terms of treatment receipt and program retention. An overemphasis on outcomes (like recidivism) has obscures the richness and detail of what clients actually experience as they move through these programs, such as challenges they might face in engaging with treatment and remaining enrolled in the program. This overemphasis also obscures the ability to predict the treatment engagement factors that impact program retention, which serves as a protective factor against recidivism. The literature on program retention reveals that static demographic factors, behavioral factors (e.g. substance abuse, employment), and treatment engagement all have predictive ability (Yukhnenko et al., 2019). However, it remains unclear which set of factors has the strongest predictive ability. This study, based on data collected in a 90-day RRC, aims to determine how race impacts enrollment in, persistence through, and completion of core program requirements and program retention within a Virginia RRC. The paper also aims to determine which demographic and treatment engagement factors have strong predictive ability related to retention. Data reviewed was collected between 2016-2018 from Gemeinschaft Home, a Virginia RRC that has been in operation since 1985. All enrolled subjects in this three-year period were subject to a study on program implementation that critically looks at the role of race. An overview of the statistical measures and methods used is presented. The authors hope that this article will encourage more research and consideration of treatment receipt and program retention among people of color within residential reentry centers.
Keywords: reentry, incarceration, implementation, program retention, minority groups
Implementation Science Study on Race and Treatment Fidelity in a Residential Reentry Center in Virginia
This research paper is an exploratory study that seeks to determine if client race impacts program implementation and program retention among men in a residential reentry center (RRC) in rural Virginia. Individuals exiting the criminal justice system face many obstacles to successful reintegration into their communities, and race can compound such barriers, (So, 2014). RRCs provide needed support to people recently released from incarceration as they reintegrate into their community. Much research on RRCs has focused on their impact on lowering the rate of client recidivism, (Lowenkamp & Latessa, 2004). Clients’ program retention was found to be an area not thoroughly examined in the RRC research (Andrews & Bonta, 2007). Further, little is known about the obstacles that people of color face within these settings, particularly in terms of treatment receipt and program retention. An overemphasis on outcomes (like recidivism) has obscures the richness and detail of what clients actually experience as they move through these programs, such as challenges they might face in engaging with treatment and remaining enrolled in the program. This overemphasis also obscures the ability to predict the treatment engagement factors that impact program retention, which serves as a protective factor against recidivism. The literature on program retention reveals that static demographic factors, behavioral factors (e.g. substance abuse, employment), and treatment engagement all have predictive ability (Yukhnenko et al., 2019). However, it remains unclear which set of factors has the strongest predictive ability. This study, based on data collected in a 90-day RRC, aims to determine how race impacts enrollment in, persistence through, and completion of core program requirements and program retention within a Virginia RRC. The paper also aims to determine which demographic and treatment engagement factors have strong predictive ability related to retention. Data reviewed was collected between 2016-2018 from Gemeinschaft Home, a Virginia RRC that has been in operation since 1985. All enrolled subjects in this three-year period were subject to a study on program implementation that critically looks at the role of race. An overview of the statistical measures and methods used is presented. The authors hope that this article will encourage more research and consideration of treatment receipt and program retention among people of color within residential reentry centers.
Keywords: reentry, incarceration, implementation, program retention, minority groups
