Program Evaluation

Evaluation and Assessment Tools

DR3’s program evaluation team provides rigorous comprehensive program evaluation services to evaluate the efficacy of recidivism reduction focused programs. The team uses a battery of validated assessment tools that examine various aspects of the individual, such as risk and criminogenic needs (e.g. education level, substance abuse, criminal thinking attitudes) and tailors the research methodology to meet the needs of the individual programs being evaluated.

The evaluation includes partnering with various program partners to collect data needed and using the state issued Criminal Identification and Information Number to track program and control group participants both at the county and state criminal history data level. Success of these programs includes outcomes such as tracking recidivism, risk/needs assessment scores, educational attainment, employment, as well as monitoring jail safety and child support obligations, as applicable.

Data Collection and Analysis

DR3 uses innovative technology, such as the SmartJustice system, to track repeat offenders and offense trends to provide counties with more effective options in developing anti-recidivism initiatives. SmartJustice is an information sharing Web portal that pulls together county and state information about criminal offenders into one interface. Released in December 2013, this platform is the first of its kind disseminated on a statewide level.

Recidivism Definition

DR3 collaborates with Division of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) to identify and collect data necessary to operate the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) recidivism definition. The DOJ’s definition consists of one primary measure, three supplemental measures, and the California Recidivism Index.

 Primary Definition: An arrest resulting in a charge within three years of an individual’s release from incarceration or placement on supervision for a previous criminal conviction.

 Supplemental Measures:

  1. Conviction:  A final judgment that follows a finding of guilt.
  2. Non-Technical Violation of Supervision:  Any motion or petition filed with the superior court for a violation of supervision, but only if (a) the motion of petition results in a judicial finding of a violation; and (b) the violation would constitute a felony or misdemeanor offense were the individual not otherwise under supervision.
  3. Return to Incarceration:  When an individual’s conviction results in a sentence of incarceration, tracked by confinement in state prison or county jail.

California Recidivism Index

The California Recidivism Index charts three major indicators of seriousness – offense type, frequency and timing.

Figure 1. Overall Recidivism Table
Figure 2. Recidivism Frequency Table ¹
Figure 2. Recidivism Timing Table ¹

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