Florida’s prisons have the fifth lowest recidivism rate in the country, according to a new study published by a prominent criminal defense law firm.
Suzuki Law Offices based in Arizona analyzed state prison systems across the country to see where the highest rates of convicts returning to prison were after they’ve been released upon completing their initial sentences. The law firm compared recidivism rates among all prison systems in each state.
According to the analysis, the five states with the lowest recidivism rates were in the Southern U.S.. South Carolina had the lowest rate, with a 21% recidivism rate. Oklahoma had the second lowest, followed by Virginia, West Virginia and Florida, with the fifth lowest rate at 24.5%.
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In Clay County, Operation New Hope’s Ready4Release Career Development Reentry Training program at the Clay County Jail provides reentry professionals who offer job training, job placement and financial, housing and transportation assistance upon release.
Sheriff Michelle Cook said the jail averages about 470 inmates a day, and the program provides “a clear path forward” for men and women to rejoin society after their release.
“By partnering with Operation New Hope, we hope to bring life-changing opportunities to incarcerated individuals. Those who commit crimes must take the time. But while they are in our custody, we must do our part to ensure they become productive citizens once released,” Cook said.
The Vineyard Transitional Center is under construction and is part of the Operation New Hope program in Green Cove Springs. It will provide individual rooms for as many as 16 men for as many as 90 days as they learn life and job skills after release.
Operation New Hope President and CEO Reggie Fullwood said former inmates have a recidivism rate of 8% who’ve participated in the program.
“We know that without results-driven reentry programs that provide the skills needed to be successful at work after release, communities experience higher rates of crime, homelessness, unemployment, family instability and recidivism,” Fullwood said.
The Sheriff’s Office’s Inmate Welfare Fund funds Clay County's program.
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The study pointed out specific programs that help keep released inmates from reoffending. Florida’s Recovery First Treatment Center in Broward County stands out in its efforts to keep people from returning to jail. The rehabilitation center is key in maintaining substance abuse and mental health in check, along with River Oaks Treatment Center, which offers similar programs in the Tampa area.
“The Florida Recovery First Treatment Center and River Oaks Treatment Center are two programs that have made a significant impact by providing substance abuse treatment and mental health counseling,” the analysis concluded.
The study said the states with lower recidivism rates all had commitments to immediate treatment for convicts once they are released from prison.
“Our analysis found that states with comprehensive reentry programs and community support have significantly lower recidivism rates,” analysts said. “Partnerships with local organizations and employers help former inmates secure employment and housing post-release.
States with the highest recidivism rates accounted for more than half of all inmates reoffending.
“Some states experience disproportionately high rates of recidivism due to systemic challenges like overcrowded prisons, limited rehabilitation programs and insufficient support for reentry,” the study found.
