Bill > SB590

This bill establishes the Recidivism Reduction System within the Arkansas Department of Corrections, aimed at lowering the state's high recidivism rate of 48.3%. The system requires developing an individualized case plan for each inmate based on a validated risk and needs assessment, which will guide their participation in evidence-based programs and meaningful activities designed to reduce their likelihood of returning to prison. Key components include mandatory programming throughout an inmate's incarceration, tailored to their specific risks and needs, with a focus on education, substance abuse treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy, and job skills development. The bill creates a new Deputy Director of Reentry position and requires reentry coordinators at each facility to help inmates prepare for successful community reintegration by addressing employment, housing, healthcare, and other critical transition needs. The system incorporates an incentive structure to encourage inmate participation, with rewards like extended visitation and commissary privileges, and includes provisions for partnerships with nonprofits, educational institutions, and private entities to deliver programming. Additionally, the bill mandates biennial audits by the Department of Inspector General and requires annual reporting on the system's effectiveness, including metrics on program participation, completion rates, and potential cost savings. An emergency clause emphasizes the urgent need to address public safety by reducing recidivism.