With the support of the Open Society Institutes Community Fellow program, Choice Research Associates (CRA) was engaged by Elizabeth Finne to develop and implement an evaluation plan for the PREpare for PArole and REentry Project. Activities included a review of the existing literature on parole outcomes on female offenders as well as challenges, barriers and outcomes and to ascertain if similar parole preparation programs exist (see review here).

CRA also facilitated the Program Development Evaluation (PDE) process with PREPARE staff to set out long- and short-term goals and process measures.  A series of self-reported data collection tools were developed and implemented along the program continuum (e.g., pre-service and post-service surveys, and reentry assessment).  PREPARE staff were also trained by CRA on the Self-Sufficiency Matrix (SSM) to capture ongoing outcomes along 19 domains crucial to successful reintegration after a period of incarceration.  For more on PREPARE, view this presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50UWlN4yjWs