Analyzing Efficacy of Home Electronic Incarceration on Return-to-Custody Rates for Inmates During the COVID-19 Pandemic; Alternative Forms of Mental Health Interventions to Decrease Incarceration

Incarceration is a major issue in the United States with millions of people in physical and mental harm. People who are locked up in criminal institutions, particularly those with mental illnesses, are trapped in a cycle of imprisonment. The project topic is analyzing alternative resources and services to improve the health and wellbeing of this population. A criminal justice system with adequate mental health support is crucial in providing more appropriate and beneficial treatment for the incarcerated. Both my STS Research Paper and Technical Report revolve around the topic of alternative forms of incarceration within the criminal justice system.

The STS paper focuses on different interventions and their recidivism rates, overall incarceration rates, and proportion of incarcerated people with mental health disorders compared to the traditional, custodial method of locking people up in jails and prisons. The Technical Report delves into one of these alternatives called Human Electronic Incarceration (HEI). It analyzes HEI usage at the Albemarle Charlottesville Regional Jail (ACRJ), and its recidivism rates.

Overall, there are many alternatives that can increase the quality of life for the incarcerated, which can in turn decrease the number of people arrested and decrease return-to-custody rates. Most of these interventions involve mental health – criminal justice collaboration, which is crucial in making positive change. This research will help policymakers make decisions about how to improve the criminal justice system effectively while saving money.