Abstract
Offender-population have higher rates of homelessness, poverty, mental illness, substance abuse, intergenerational trauma alongside several other factors compared to the general population. Upon release, individuals face a multitude of structural barriers alongside historical factors that impact success rates upon release. High recidivism rates plague the United States and have lasting impacts among offender-population. Post-release programs provide an avenue to combat the structural barriers that reentry population face as well as targeting criminogenic needs to reduce likelihood of recidivism. The current study looks to better understand how criminogenic needs can be targeted via a post-release vocational training program. 10 adult-male participants were interviewed to explore their experience in a Sacramento-County based post-release vocational training program, Northern California Construction Training (NCCT). Conclusions Reached All eight criminogenic needs were decreased among NCCT participants. The top 4 needs were among the most targeted (antisocial behavior, personality, cognition, and peer association) along with a heavy impact on the needs of leisure activity and work. Non-criminogenic needs such as internalized drive, positive relationship with instructor, and a change in sense-of-self were all found to have a positive impact via the NCCT program as well. Recommendations Future studies could be strengthened by utilizing long-term data collection both in-custody as well as long-term tracking post programming. Collateral data (family, friends, probation, ect) would also strengthen the study to track if true change occurred. Future research should also track adverse experiences to better understand how structural inequities has affected an individual as it has a major impact in their current life situation. Thus, tracking not solely criminogenic needs but historical factors as well would strengthen the overall research. A holistic approach to treatment could potentially create the strongest long-term positive outcomes in reducing cycling recidivism rates.