This morning, Washington Policy Center hosted an informational breakfast event in Seattle with speaker Brent Orrell, a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, a public policy think tank based in Washington, D.C. He recently edited a book titled Rethinking Reentry that will be officially released next week which includes a collection of essays by researchers, scholars, and policymakers writing on the different challenges and solutions involved in reentry by those incarcerated with the goal of decreasing recidivism rates.

Mr. Orrell highlighted a report by Pamela Lattimore, which is included in Rethinking Reentry, that explains how most reentry programs, both past and present, produce disappointing results. Studies show that these programs generate negligible benefits, and in some cases even detract from the success of the prisoners. These findings indicate the systems in place now are ultimately unproductive and must be rethought.

He also referenced an essay by Christy Visher, Daniel O’Connell, and Hannah Cortina which explored the use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in prisons. CBT is a way of targeting triggers in order to analyze and heal the trauma that led to imprisonment. He mentioned that the vast majority of people in prison did not simply decide to commit a crime, but rather they were the victims of injustices and trauma throughout their life that led them to illegal actions. CBT works to replace negative cognitions and the actions that follow in order to allow prisoners to have a healthy and successful reentry into society. CBT is, of course, not the only solution being considered. Brent also mentioned a unique  program in which prisoners are taught how to train service dogs. This gives inmates a sense of responsibility and connection that can be incredibly beneficial during reentry.

As states continue to look at ways to move people from prison to be functioning members of society, these ideas presented by Mr. Orrell and in this new book are worth considering.

To learn more about Brent Orrell and Rethinking Reentry:

Visit the American Enterprise Institute at

https://www.aei.org/profile/brent-orrell/

Sign up to attend a book launch event at https://www.aei.org/events/rethinking-reentry-strengthening-programs-and-promoting-personal-agency-among-returning-citizens/