Pilot program helps cut recidivism, but its future is unknown

(Lancaster) — Easing the transition for people moving from jail to society can be difficult. But a pilot program in the midstate helped nearly all participants, yet its fate is unknown.

In one instance this summer, seven out of 10 low-risk inmates who went through Lancaster County’s Day Report Center saw positive results finding work.

The center allows people to move back home for the tail-end of their sentence as long as they visit every day and take classes, for either a GED or job skills.

Mark Wilson, head of Lancaster County’s Adult Probation & Parole office, says while the program lowers recidivism, there’s another side benefit.

“The dollars and cents. Based on what CareerLink has told me, although I don’t have any exact figures, a program like this would certainly be probably less than half of the cost that it takes to incarcerate an individual on a daily basis,” says Wilson.

“Increasing public safety by reducing offender risk and needs. Getting them linked with resources in the community. Improving their education level, improving their employment opportunities.”

Wilson says he’s set to meet with the Lancaster County Commissioners to discuss upfront funding to start the Day Center again.

He says the county was all set to run a second round with another group of inmates, but money is being held up because of the state budget crisis.