Advancing Corrections Journal - Edition #12 - Innovation in Correctional Healthcare (ACJ12-A013)

Article 13: Can Physical Health Risk Factors and Social Characteristics of a Community Increase the Likelihood of Recidivism An Examination (ACJ12-A013)

Abstract

The study examines how physical health risk factors and social characteristics predict recidivism for individuals released from five contracted Florida prisons. The Geographic Information System (GIS) model-assisted to identify hot spots of returning citizens, and a negative binomial regression measured the impact of physical health risk factors and social characteristics, i.e., poverty and race, on recidivism. The results reveal an association between physical health risk factors, social characteristics, and recidivism. Our findings expand literature and contribute to advancing policies in prisoner reentry that focus on an all-encompassing comprehensive plan for returning citizens.

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Authors

Derrick D. Schofield

Executive Vice President, GEO Continuum of Care & GEO Reentry Services, United States

Derrick Schofield joined The GEO Group, Inc. (GEO) in 2016 and currently serves as the Executive Vice President for GEO Continuum of Care and GEO Reentry Services. GEO’s Continuum of Care division oversees the delivery of enhanced in-prison rehabilitation programs. The Reentry Division supports correctional agencies nationwide with flexible options such as residential housing and treatment, day reporting programs, and in-custody treatment and training. The Continuum of Care Division coupled with Reentry Services provides meaningful programming to over 30,000 participants. Prior to joining GEO, Dr. Schofield had a distinguished career working in state correctional systems in Tennessee and Georgia for 26 years. He served as Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) and provided leadership for the more than 6,000 employees charged with overseeing more than 108,000 offenders both in prison and on community supervision. His vision resulted in the successful passage of legislation creating a system of seamless supervision of adult felony offenders. As a direct result of this seamless supervision model, Dr. Schofield was responsible for a $926 million operating budget, 14 prisons, a training academy and 47 probation/parole offices. His focus led to his appointment as co-chair of the Governor’s Taskforce on Sentencing and Recidivism. His work helped to shape public policy through the enactment of the Public Safety Act of 2016 for Tennessee. The act enhanced reentry efforts and the use of alternative sentencing and sanctions in reducing the use of prisons beds for technical violations. Prior to being Commissioner, Dr. Schofield held numerous positions in the Georgia Department of Corrections including Warden, Director of Investigations & Compliance, Director of Prison Operations Assistant Commissioner, and Chief of Staff. As an active member of the Association of State Correctional Administrators (ASCA) Dr. Schofield previously served as President of the Southern Region. He has been at the forefront of several key issues and sat on the ASCA Racial Disparity Committee, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Committee, Performance Measures Committee, and was a member of the ASCA Executive Committee. Dr. Schofield served as a Presidential Advisor to the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice and was a member of the Advisory Boards of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee, Volunteer State Community College, and Tennessee Voices for Victims. He is an active member of the American Correctional Association where he is currently serving as a Board of Governors Representative to the Executive Committee. Additionally, he serves on boards for Hope for Prisoners and Kazee, Inc. After earning his Bachelor’s in Political Science, Dr. Schofield’s commitment to public service took him to the United States Army, where he rose to the rank of Captain. He earned a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Columbus State University, and he also graduated from Georgia’s Law Enforcement Command College. He earned his doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership from Piedmont International University.

Wendy Dressler

Ph.D. Candidate, International Crime & Justice, United States

Mrs. Dressler is a Ph.D. Candidate at Florida International University and a Research Analyst for GEO Continuum of Care. She earned her MA degree in Criminal Justice with a specialization in Alcohol and Drug Abuse from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Her research interests are primarily in corrections, reentry, correctional administration, and spatial analysis. Mrs. Dressler most recent work focuses on female wardens as transformational leaders. Her professional experience includes twenty years working in the criminal justice field, predominantly overseeing substance abuse treatment and reentry programs that employ evidence-based principles.

David S. Burch

Divisional Vice President, GEO Continuum of Care, United States

Mr. Burch began his Criminal Justice career in 1996 working as a Correctional Officer, and later as an Operations Manager, at subsequent residential work release facilities in Indianapolis, Indiana. He then joined the Indiana Department of Correction as a Director of Reentry Services and Case Management in 2006, responsible for developing and implementing evidence-based programs and case management services. Mr. Burch joined The GEO Group in 2011 as the Superintendent of the Heritage Trail Correctional Facility, where he provided leadership and direction for the facility administration, security and programs. In October of 2014, Heritage Trail opened the First Time Offender Program at the direction of the Governor and Commissioner of Corrections. Promoted in 2016, Mr. Burch was named the Divisional Vice President for the GEO Continuum of Care, within the GEO Care Division, which encompasses staff training, incustody enhanced rehabilitative programs, clinical research and post-release services. He earned his Master’s degree in Business Management from Indiana Wesleyan University.

Jessica Rich

Ph.D. Student, Florida State University, United States

Ms. Rich is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Florida State University. Her research interests include prisoner reentry, program evaluation, and corrections. Her current research focuses on the role of prison visitation on inmate misconduct, emphasizing the aging population. She has over five years of experience working in the criminal justice field for the Department of Children and Family Services and Community Corrections.

Advancing Corrections Journal - Edition #12 - Innovation in Correctional Healthcare (ACJ12-A013)

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