Why do so many offenders return to prison (recidivate) in California?
California returns a high proportion of offenders to prison after their release. This is in large part due to California’s failed parole policies, especially the policies of returning parolees to prison for technical violations of parole like a positive drug test result or a missed appointment and the decision not to provide rehabilitative services. Parolees currently receive very few meaningful services pre- or post-release. We know the negative impact of this failure: 60-80% of parolees are unemployed. This lack of treatment and supporting services—including vocational, educational, housing and mental health care services—directly affects whether or not parolees will recidivate.
