RELEVANT RESEARCH, FACTS AND STATISTICS

(1)The U. S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics has issued statistical facts relevant to offenders returning to Federal Prison from 1986 through 1997. The following statistics describe offenders returning to Federal Prison within three years of release.

A)Offenders returning to Federal Prison within 3 years increased from 11.4% of those released during 1986 to 18.6% of those released during 1994.

B)Sixty (60%) percent returned following a technical violation of released conditions, 30% following a conviction for a new offense, and 10% for other violations.

C)Offenders convicted of a violent offense returned to prison at a higher rate (32% of releases) than those convicted of a property (17%), public-order (15%), or drug offense (13%).

DATA SOURCE: (See U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics)

(2)Within his statements before the U.S. Senate, Senator Biden provided the following statistics regarding prisoner recidivism rates.

A)Over 2 million people are incarcerated in the U. S. federal and state prisons and millions more in local jails.

B)Ninety-five percent (95%) of all prisoners will eventually be released, which is the equivalent of 650,000 being released to communities annually.

C)Two thirds of released state prisoners expected to be rearrested within 3 years of release representing two of every three prisoners.

D)Sixty percent (60%) of former inmates are not employed.

E)Fifteen to twenty-seven percent of released prisoners expect to go to homeless shelters upon release.

F)Fifty seven percent (57%) of federal and 70% of state inmates used drugs regularly before prison.

DATA SOURCE: (See Senator Joe Biden, Jr., Floor Statement:  October 27, 2005).

It is the goal of TOUCH to become operational to provide the data, research, and study of offender reentry issues.  TOUCH will answer questions such as: who is most likely to recommit crimes when they are released; better target resources where they can do the most good; and, also provide the understanding why some ex-offenders who seem to have the entire deck stacked against them are able to become successful and productive members of society. TOUCH will identify exactly what actually works and exactly how that which works can be replicated.

There exist a tremendous need to accept the hard fact that the problems facing ex-offenders are enormous and will need sustained focus. The safety of our neighbors, our children, and our communities depend on it. Even more important, addressing the needs described above is the duty of the society at large.