Date
8-23-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Human Services: Emphasis in Forensic Behavioral Health
Department
Human Services
First Advisor
Jerrod Brown
Second Advisor
Ryan Chukuske
Abstract
This capstone project evaluates the effectiveness of professional and community interventions in reducing criminal recidivism and facilitating successful community reintegration for justice-involved individuals. Grounded in the Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) model, Desistance Theory, and Trauma-Informed Care frameworks, this study synthesizes contemporary behavioral health and criminological literature to examine how institutional programming and post-release community support interact to foster long-term behavioral change. The findings demonstrate that while evidence-based institutional treatments—such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and targeted vocational training—provide essential foundations for cognitive restructuring and skill acquisition, institutional programming alone is insufficient to prevent re-offending. Long-term desistance depends on an integrated continuum of care that bridges institutional release planning with structured community-based interventions, including supportive housing, peer mentorship, specialized mental health and substance use care, and multi-agency navigation models like INVEST. Furthermore, addressing systemic collateral consequences, such as legal restrictions on employment and social stigma, remains essential for sustaining community stability. This project outlines practical applications for human service professionals and criminal justice administrators, highlights theoretical alignment across forensic behavioral health models, and identifies critical directions for future longitudinal and demographic research to optimize reentry outcomes and enhance public safety.