The Utah Association Of Counties Explores Solutions To Reduce Recidivism, by Will Engelhardt, Policy Analyst, Justice Center, The Council of State Governments

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In January 2014, the Utah Association of Counties invited national experts to lead a training event on recidivism reduction for its members. Council of State Governments Justice Center (CSG Justice Center) Director Michael Thompson and Jake Horowitz of The Pew Charitable Trusts’ Public Safety Performance Project presented on national research on and trends in recidivism reduction, tracking recidivism rates, and the role of community-based behavioral health care services in reducing recidivism. The daylong event, entitled ‘One and Done: Four Strategies to Reduce Recidivism in Utah’s Prison System,’ brought together more than 60 representatives from Utah’s county and state governments to discuss issues related to recidivism.

The event offered an opportunity for criminal justice policymakers from around the state to connect and share insights about challenges facing counties in Utah.  Policymakers also discussed potential strategies to address these challenges at the state level using the bi-partisan, data-driven justice reinvestment approach, as well as employing a targeted, county-level research-based effort. . . .