Adapting to Bad News: Lessons From the Harlem Parole Reentry Court

The reentry court model was created to address the risks and needs of offenders returning to the community during the period immediately following release. While there is growing interest in reentry courts, research to date has been limited. This study utilized a quasi-experimental design, comparing reentry court participants with traditional parolees. Participants were found to have fewer reconvictions but increased parole revocations. Although results indicate a promising court model, higher rates of revocations for technical violations suggest the potential for “supervision effects.” Dissemination of negative program outcomes provided an opportunity for additional training and programmatic elements to limit and/or reverse possible iatrogenic effects.