Detention and desistance from crime: Evaluating the influence of a new generation jail on recidivism

New generation jails represent a fundamental reform to the structure and ma nagement style of traditional jails. Evaluations have investigated the effe cts of this innovation on the internal operations of detention facilities, although no study has yet examined the potential impact of new generation d esigns on the postrelease criminal behavior of inmates. Using a sample of 6 00 inmates housed under indirect or direct supervision, the present study b egan to address this issue. The results suggest that the new generation mod el does not increase recidivism and may reduce postrelease offending in. so me situations. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.