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Three-Year Post-Release Evaluation Findings for Worcester Initiative for Supported Reentry (WISR)
The Worcester Initiative for Supported Reentry (WISR) was developed in 2011 by a network of community partners in response to high rates of recidivism in Massachusetts among individuals released from jails and prisons. Recognizing the many barriers to succesful reentry, WISR focused on reducing the number of people who returned to prison by working closely with our criminal justice partners to provide evidence-based interventions and individualized navigation plans that help men successfully reintegrate into the community.
The Three-Year Post-Release Evaluation Findings, prepared by the Insititute of Behavioral Health at Brandeis University, demonstrate that WISR reduced recidivism among its medium to high-risk population by 47 percent, and the outcomes for participants of color were better than for white participants. WISR services cost about $6,300 annually for one individual compared to an annual average of $54,000 per person for the cost of incarceration in Massachusetts. The project also achieved a 59% return on investment due to averted incarceration. Brandeis University’s economic evaluation of WISR projects that Massachusetts would save more than $375,000 per 100 people served. We believe this model can be replicated in other communities to help increase public safety, improve public health, and stem the tide of recidivism that is detrimental to individuals, families, and communities.
View the Executive Summary.
View the Full Report.
