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“Something Works” in U.S. Jails: Misconduct and Recidivism Effects of the IGNITE Program

Author

Listed:
  • Marcella Alsan
  • Arkey M. Barnett
  • Peter Hull
  • Crystal Yang

Abstract

A longstanding and influential view in U.S. correctional policy is that “nothing works” when it comes to rehabilitating incarcerated individuals. We revisit this hypothesis by studying an innovative law-enforcement-led program launched in the county jail of Flint, Michigan: Inmate Growth Naturally and Intentionally Through Education (IGNITE). We develop an instrumental variable approach to estimate the effects of IGNITE exposure, which leverages quasi-random court delays that cause individuals to spend more time in jail both before and after the program’s launch. Holding time in jail fixed, we find that one additional month of IGNITE exposure reduces within-jail misconduct by 49% and reduces three-month recidivism by 18%, with the recidivism effects growing over time. Surveys of staff and community members, along with administrative test score records and within-jail text messages, suggest that cultural change and improved literacy and numeracy scores are key contributing mechanisms.

Suggested Citation

  • Marcella Alsan & Arkey M. Barnett & Peter Hull & Crystal Yang, 2024. "“Something Works” in U.S. Jails: Misconduct and Recidivism Effects of the IGNITE Program," NBER Working Papers 32282, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:32282
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C26 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Instrumental Variables (IV) Estimation
    • I26 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Returns to Education
    • K4 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior

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