The OCDA’s offender treatment program appears to be reducing recidivism by 500%

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: August 7, 2017

ORANGE COUNTY OFFENDER TREATMENT PROGRAM DECREASED RATE OF RECIDIVISM BY 500% FOR 2015-2016 PARTICIPANTS

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Pacific Educational Services (PES) released an evaluation indicating a 500% reduction in the rate of criminal recidivism for last year’s participants in the Orange County Offender Treatment Program (OC-OTP) in Santa Ana. The evaluation detailed the positive impact OC-OTP had on participants who completed the program without termination, primarily offenders dealing with drug usage and/or possession.

Goals

PES partners with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) to reduce recidivism by providing treatment and personal growth programs for offenders in Orange County. PES developed the OC-OTP for individuals charged with drug usage and/or possession offenses. Offenders are referred to participate in OC-OTP by the OCDA in order to divert these criminal drug charges.

Treatment

• From October 2015 to September 2016, OC-OTP admitted 389 participants and successfully discharged 301 participants.
• Throughout the program, participants gain tools for developing pro-social law abiding behavior, values, choices, and goals.
• PES utilizes Moral Recognition Therapy (MRT) and A New Freedom (ANF) as the primary intervention strategies in OC-OTP because of the evidence supporting MRT and ANF’s effectiveness in treating offenders with antisocial personality disorder and substance abuse disorders.

Results

Outcomes demonstrated a significant decrease in participants’ criminal thinking and an increase in motivation to remain drug-free and avoid re-offending.
Only 12% of participants reoffended and were charged with a new crime.
There was a 500% decrease in the rate of criminal recidivism in participants who completed the program compared to those participants who were referred to the program but dropped out.
The program also measured levels of criminogenic traits among participants both before and after the program’s completion. Results demonstrated a significant reduction in participants’ criminal thinking.

The following traits decreased:

• Power Orientation: participants learned to reduce their need for power and tendency to manipulate others.
• Cold Heartedness: participants learned how to develop meaningful relationships.
• Criminal Rationalization: participants committed to follow rules and be trustworthy.
• Personal Irresponsibility: participants understood the consequences of their actions.

PES is dedicated to continuing to work with the OCDA collaboratively in order to reduce long-term recidivism and better understand effective means of treatment. OCDA Tony Rackauckas commented, “I am extremely proud of the partnership between the OCDA and the Orange County Offender Treatment Program, which is changing lives, lowering criminal justice costs, and making our county safer in the process.”

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TONY RACKAUCKAS, District Attorney

Susan Kang Schroeder, Chief of Staff
Office: 714-347-8408
Cell: 714-292-2718

Michelle Van Der Linden,Spokesperson
Office: 714-347-8405
Cell: 714-323-4486

Art Pedroza Editor

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

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