Using Technology to Facilitate Successful Reentry Outcomes: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Web-Based Reentry Planning Tool

This proposal seeks to assess the use and impact of Pokket, a web-based reentry planning and management tool. Pokket follows returning individuals from confinement to the community and is intended to enhance reentry programming and reduce recidivism by enabling the sharing of client-level data across reentry stakeholders and empowering individuals to take ownership over their reentry. The intervention will be examined through a randomized controlled trial (RCT). The study sample includes individuals reentering their communities after incarceration in an North Carolina Department of Public Safety (NC DPS) correctional center.

The study also includes process and cost components to assess implementation effectiveness and cost savings. Individuals enrolled in reentry housing units (moderate- to high-risk adults incarcerated in four NC prisons) will be randomly assigned to receive a subscription to Pokket for a 12-month period spanning the pre- and post-release period (plus standard reentry planning delivered in the units and standard probation) or standard reentry planning alone (n=200 per group).

Self-administered survey data and administrative data will be used to compare the two groups on attitudes/motivation, service use, recidivism, and other outcomes. Recidivism will be assessed for at least 30 months for each respondent (up to 42 months for some), with an average follow-up period of 36 months. The fidelity assessment and process study will assess whether Pokket was implemented as intended and increased client engagement in reentry planning and collaboration among service providers, and it will document implementation lessons learned. It will include Acivilate administrative data, in-person interviews from two rounds of site visits, and self-administered surveys from staff and reentering individuals. The cost study will include stakeholder cost interviews and outcome study data.

"Note: This project contains a research and/or development component, as defined in applicable law," and complies with Part 200 Uniform Requirements - 2 CFR 200.210(a)(14). CA/NCF