Supplementary Evaluation of the Integrated Correctional Program Model: Community Program: Summary

The Community Program (CP) is an integrated program for moderate and high risk men offenders, released into the community, who did not complete main correctional programming while in the institution, despite having a need for it. Although the CP does not address the need for correctional programming that should have been received in the institution, it accomplishes the important task of providing program exposure to offenders who demonstrate a need for it, which supports successful reintegration.

This evaluation covered the period from April 2015 to February 2020. The scope of the evaluation included the relevancy and need for the CP, and the effectiveness of the CP. To assess the effectiveness of the CP, the following were examined: 1) rates of participation (i.e., enrollment) in the CP; 2) characteristics of CP participants versus non-participants; 3) community outcomes for groups of offenders with various CP exposure during first release; 4) rates of participation in the Community Maintenance Program (CMP); and 5) community outcomes for groups of offenders with various CMP exposure during first release. The effectiveness of the CP was examined for White offenders, Black offenders, Indigenous offenders^{Footnote 1}, and other Ethnocultural^{Footnote 2} offenders.

Data were collected through literature review, as well as extraction and analysis of administrative data from the Offender Management System (OMS).

• Recent implementation of the Integrated Correctional Program Model (ICPM) in the Prairie region resulted in an under-representation of Indigenous offenders in the evaluation sample.
• Small sample sizes for Black and other Ethnocultural offenders meant that findings for these groups should be viewed as tentative.
• Reasons for non-participation in the CP were unable to be explored.
• The evaluation did not consider the effect of other interventions and support services available to offenders during the reintegration process (e.g., cultural services, substance abuse treatment, mental health services, employment programs)

• There is a continued need for CSC to deliver the CP to federal offenders who require it. The CP is aligned with the priorities, roles, and responsibilities of CSC and the federal government.
• More than half of offenders eligible to participate in the CP did so during their first release. Of those who enrolled in the CP, the majority completed it successfully.
• Indigenous offenders and other Ethnocultural offenders enrolled in the CP at lower rates relative to White offenders. However, Indigenous offenders, other Ethnocultural offenders, and Black offenders all experienced comparable odds of completing the CP once enrolled, relative to White offenders.
• Completion of the CP was associated with significant reductions in the likelihood of a revocation to custody (both for any reason and for a new offence) relative to CP incompleters and those who did not participate in the CP despite having a need for it (i.e., eligible non-participants).
• More than half of offenders eligible to participate in the CMP did so after completing the CP. Of those who enrolled in the CMP, the majority successfully completed it.
• Offenders with more time remaining on their sentence following the completion of the CP experienced greater odds of participating in, and completing, the CMP.
• Completion of the CMP following the successful completion of the CP was associated with a reduction in the likelihood of a revocation for any reason relative to both CMP incompleters and those with no participation in the CMP.

1. Determine if the rates of enrollment in the ICPM-CP for relevant offender subgroups, including Indigenous offenders and other Ethnocultural offenders, are discrepant.
   CSC will compare enrollments in ICPM Multi-Target moderate intensity programs and the CP for relevant subgroups, including Indigenous offenders and other Ethnocultural offenders, to determine if the enrollment rates are discrepant. If discrepancies are identified, CSC will address any unequal access to promote comparable enrollment rates.
2. Determine if there are opportunities to enhance the timely delivery of the CP and CMP to ensure offenders with limited time remaining on their sentence have an opportunity to participate.
   CSC will amend policy and promote the prioritization of offenders who should be targeted to support the timely delivery of the CP and CMP.

For the full evaluation report, visit the CSC Evaluation website: https://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/005/009/005009-1002-en.shtml