Identifying novel, health-related predictors of recidivism: Informing evidence-based throughcare

Around 55,000 people pass through Australia's prisons each year and after release manyexperience poor health; most reoffend and return to prison. This project will identify novel, modifiable health-related risk factors for recidivism, directly informing programs in prison and post-release to reduce Australia's stubbornly high recidivism rate.

Project Leaders

Professor Stuart Kinner (Griffith University)

Project Team

Dr Matt Spittal (University of Melbourne); Professor Faye Taxman (George Mason University); Dr Mark Rallings (Queensland Corrective Services)

Industry Partners

Queensland Corrective Services

Project Value

$390,000

Type of Funding

Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Project

Dates

2014-2016

Theme/s

Corrections and Sentencing

Aims

  • Identify novel, health-related predictors of recidivism in the first two years after release from adult custody
  • Examine the extent to which risk and protective factors for recidivism vary over time and according to individual characteristics
  • Provide evidence-based recommendations to improve throughcare interventions and reduce recidivism