Prison Visitation Linked to Lower Recidivism, Study Shows

Inmates who received prison visitation were less likely to re-offend after release when compared to offenders who did not receive visits, according to a meta-analysis study by researchers at Sam Houston State University.

Immigration Status May Act as Protective Factor in Sentencing

Offenders with federal immigration detainers received significantly shorter sentences in state courts than those that did not face deportation, except in cases involving life or death sentences, researchers found.

Research Reveals Restorative Justice Reduces Recidivism

Restorative justice programs, such victim-offender mediation and community impact panels, are more effective in reducing recidivism rates among juvenile offenders than traditional court processing, a study by researchers at Sam Houston State University found.

Education is Key to Success in Jails

As the new President of the American Jail Association, Alumnus Wayne Dicky continues to stress the importance of ongoing education for jail professionals.

CMIT Launches Decision Points Training for Probation Officers

The Correctional Management Institute of Texas (CMIT) is offering adult and juvenile institutional and probation officers a new approach to help offenders stay out of trouble.

Called Decision Points, the program features intensive training for correctional staff to implement a cognitive-behavioral intervention to break the cycle of trouble. It teaches offenders to examine their thoughts and feelings, to think about who cares what they do, to identify choices, and to pinpoint a motivating thought to do their best to succeed.

TDCJ Scholarship Winners Plan Future with State Agency

Misty Dowdell eventually would like to become a Warden or Director with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), while Adrienne Bailey hopes to improve her leadership skills, promote at the State Counsel for Offenders, and explore different areas of the agency.

Can Prison Visitation Reduce Recidivism?

A study funded by the National Science Foundation will explore if prison visitation can help reduce recidivism rates and whether there are gender, racial, and ethnic differences in these patterns.