LSI-R Assessment is Valid for Iowa Offenders, Data Download, Iowa Department of Corrections, September 2006

Welcome to the first issue of the ICON Data Download, a periodic report intended to communicate findings relevant to those who work directly with offenders, as well as those involved in planning, policy and budgeting. This issue highlights work conducted by research partner Christopher Lowenkamp, Ph.D., of the University of Cincinnati and his research associate, Kristin Bechtel, M.S. Data for this analysis was provided from the Iowa Justice Data Warehouse – and takes advantage of the link between ICON and ICIS (the court database) to readily track offender recidivism.

Halfway Back Works, Data Download, Iowa Department of Corrections, May 2011

In an effort to reduce the strain on limited prison beds, the Board of Parole – with the support of the Department of Corrections – instituted the Halfway Back revocation option. This option allows for selected parolees to be revoked to work release rather than to prison.

Mentally Ill Offenders in Community-Based Corrections, Research in Brief, Iowa Department of Corrections, April 2008

A survey of offenders supervised by the eight district departments of correctional services. This report was commissioned by the Iowa Department of Corrections Focus Group on Mental Health in Community-Based Corrections.

Tracking Needs of Prison Releasees, Data Download, Iowa Department of Corrections, February 2013, Corrections, Department of

DOC Research Director Lettie Prell recently compiled the calendar year 2012 data for offender releases from prison to community supervision in Iowa. Analyzes such as these help the Iowa Corrections system in identifying where the most reentry resource need is; what offender programming is most in demand; and which culturally-sensitive supervision and culturally-specific programming is prescribed.

GED Completion Reduces Recidivism, Data Download, Iowa Department of Corrections, January 2013, Corrections, Department of

During 2011, the Iowa Department of Corrections analyzed the impact that attaining a GED has on recidivism – specifically, three-year return-to-prison rate. For those inmates who have a low or moderate risk level (as measured by the LSI-R assessment tool), attaining a GED does not tend to reduce the return-to-prison rate. However, attaining a GED does tend to reduce the rate for higher risk offenders.

Family Violence Prevention Program Shows Promise, August 2013. Corrections, Department of

CJJP found that for 2011, prison releasees who had gone throught the revamped MIFVPP were significantly less likely to be convicted of a violent assault on release from prison.

Iowa Department of Corrections, Strategic Plan 2014-2018, January 2014

Iowa’s adult correctional system carries out its legal mandate of protecting the public and promoting offender rehabilitation through a continuum of institution and community evidence based services and interventions. This continuum is designed with recognition that for most offenders, reentry planning starts upon admission to the corrections system. The effective and efficient management of offenders in accordance with their risk and criminogenic needs (those needs that contribute to criminality) is accomplished through targeted programming, release preparation, and transition services. Success in these endeavors assists offenders to become productive members of the community and makes it less likely that they will re-offend, resulting in lowered recidivism rates. In 1990 the Department’s prison recidivism rate was 44.7% and today it is 30.3%. Our overall desired outcome is to reduce the prison recidivism rate to 25% during the next five years by focusing resources toward our highest risk offenders.

Iowa Department of Corrections Annual Report, 2013

Summary of all facets of the Department of Corrections for Fiscal Year 2013

Quick Facts, July 2013

An overview of facts concerning the Department of Corrections

Pharmacy Pilot Project Showing Benefits, Data Download, January 2014

In 2013, released offenders with a mental illness were made eligible to obtain a free 60-day supply of behavioral health medications in addition to the 30-day supply already provided by the Department of Corrections. The Iowa Medication Voucher Program provided the funding, which allowed the DOC Central Pharmacy to dispense the approved medications to participating pharmacies in 95 counties.

Community-Based Corrections' Impact on Recidivism, Data Download, Iowa Department of Corrections, September 2013

It is no surprise that probationers are less likely to receive new felony or aggravated misdemeanor convictions than are parolees following discharge from supervision; probationers tend to be at lower risk to begin with. Likewise, parolees tend to be at lower risk and less likely to be convicted of serious offenses than are offenders who complete their sentences in prison.

Iowa Department of Corrections, Strategic Plan 2014-2018,

Iowa’s adult correctional system carries out its legal mandate of protecting the public and promoting offender rehabilitation through a continuum of institution and community evidence based services and interventions. This continuum is designed with recognition that for most offenders, reentry planning starts upon admission to the corrections system. The effective and efficient management of offenders in accordance with their risk and criminogenic needs (those needs that contribute to criminality) is accomplished through targeted programming, release preparation, and transition services. Success in these endeavors assists offenders to become productive members of the community and makes it less likely that they will re-offend, resulting in lowered recidivism rates. In 1990 the Department’s prison recidivism rate was 44.7% and today it is 30.3%. Our overall desired outcome is to reduce the prison recidivism rate to 25% during the next five years by focusing resources toward our highest risk offenders.

Iowa Department of Corrections Annual Report, 2014 Corrections, Department of

Summary of all facets of the Department of Corrections for fiscal year 2014

Quick Facts, July 2009

An overview of facts concerning the Department of Corrections

Quick Facts, July 2014

An overview of facts concerning the Department of Corrections