[From Our Partners] New York City Health Justice Network Recidivism Evaluation Study
The New York City Health Justice Network (NYC HJN), an innovative health service delivery program for individuals returning from incarceration, was developed and implemented by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) with funding from the Criminal Justice Investment Initiative (CJII), a partnership between CUNY ISLG and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office (DANY). NYC HJN sought to provide individuals recently released from incarceration with peer support from community health workers (CHW) with lived experience of successful reentry from the criminal legal system and access to integrated primary care and social services.
NYC HJN addressed a wide range of client health needs, including support with health insurance, primary care, dental care, mental and behavioral health, and social service needs such as assistance with employment, housing, food security, obtaining vital documents (e.g., identification), and legal support.
Through CJII funding, NYU-CUNY Prevention Research Center (PRC) conducted an outcome evaluation of the program. Following an interim evaluation of the program that found a high level of program engagement, the final report findings offer preliminary evidence of NYC HJN’s ability to reduce future criminal legal system involvement among participants.
More specifically, this final evaluation report aims to examine the association of NYC HJN program participation with criminal legal system re-involvement outcomes, including re-arrests, conviction/reconviction and reincarceration at 6- and 12-months post program start.
The evaluation also demonstrates how reentry programs that adopt a holistic approach to supporting individuals released from incarceration may support a more successful transition back into the community.
By simultaneously addressing health and social needs and relating to persons with criminal legal involvement using a trauma-informed approach, NYC HJN and public health programs like it have the potential to play a critical role in supporting successful community re-integration of people with prior criminal legal involvement.
See our blog for a look at the value of reentry programs tailoring their services to address the wide-ranging needs of individuals reintegrating into the community.
About the Program and Evaluation
NYC HJN continues to provide individuals returning from incarceration with the necessary supports and services to ensure the process of reentering the community is made less challenging.
NYU-CUNY PRC’s outcome evaluation report accompanies a blog focusing on NYC HJN’s impact on clients’ recidivism outcomes (i.e., arrest, conviction, and reincarceration). A concurrent evaluation assesses the effects of NYC HJN on health outcomes, with preliminary findings of that evaluation (not yet published) showing positive results.
About the Criminal Justice Investment Initiative
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Criminal Justice Investment Initiative (CJII) focuses on three investment areas—crime prevention, diversion and reentry, and supports for survivors of crime. HJN is part of the CJII’s investments in diversion and reentry.
The CUNY Institute for State and Local Governance manages and provides technical assistance to CJII contractors, and conducts oversight and performance measurement throughout the lifetime of the initiative.