PROJECT RETURN (LA)

Program Description
Dr. Robert E. Roberts, the director of Project Return, developed this program while he was working at an adult male prison in Louisiana and noted that one of the major causes for recidivism was that offenders were having a difficult time stabilizing their lives post-release. Thus, many became unemployed, relapsed in substance abuse, and returned to a life of crime and violence. Project Return strives to provide treatment and services for former prisoners in order to decrease the high recidivism rates. Many of the services are provided by staff members who are former offenders themselves.

Participants in Project Return attend GED or educational classes about 12 hours a week. Another 8.5 hours are designated for addictions education, 6. 5 hours for computer training, 4.5 hours in job skills training, four hours on communication skills, and two hours in community building. The group process of community building focuses on creating a safe environment for discussions on sensitive issues such as
child abuse. It is based on a group process model, designed by M. Scott Peck, MD, author of The Road Less Traveled, and addresses how to deal with pain and suffering that result from childhood experiences such as poverty, abuse, neglect, violence, and the adolescent/ adult experiences of imprisonment.

Program Goals
One of the primary goals of Project Return is to provide services that reduce relapse and recidivism by providing substance abuse treatment, GED education, communication classes, life skills classes, job training, and job placement assistance. The project also aims to increase public safety by preventing future crimes.

Networking, Partnering & Collaboration
The project networks with social service agencies to provide services and treatment to former offenders. Initial funding for the project came from the business community and Tulane University.

Outcomes
The New Orleans Metropolitan Crime Commission conducted an evaluation on Project Return during its first four years. The evaluation reported that the project lowered recidivism rates and violence among both men and women who were formerly incarcerated. During the first year of release, only ten percent of program participants had been reincarcerated compared to 37 percent of the control group.

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