“Crime generates substantial costs to society at individual, community, and national levels. In the United States, more than 23 million criminal offenses are committed each year, resulting in approximately $15 billion in economic losses to the victims and $179 billion in government expenditures on police protection, judicial and legal activities, and corrections. Programs that directly or indirectly prevent crime can therefore generate substantial economic benefits by reducing crime-related costs incurred by victims, communities, and the criminal justice system”

        National Coalition Building Institute.

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Evidence-based re-entry policies and programs that have been enacted in recent years have been shown to improve outcomes for people released from prison. 

Recidivism comes next to drug crimes as the leading reason for incarceration.  Even a small positive impact represents a massive return on investment.  There is clear evidence that a GED and character-building programs can reduce recidivism by about 50%

The only way to succeed in the Character Restoration Initiative is to address a man's mental, physical, educational, and spiritual needs.  The many programs available are designed with this all-around perspective.  

CRI seeks to change the outlook of the men - to make them accountable, to promote leadership, self-confidence, and to create a culture of respect and responsibility in their daily lives at the prison.

When an inmate starts his journey to character restoration at Allendale, he is required to sign a "Social Contract" based on the principles of honor and respect.  It spells out in practical ways and in detail the behavior and expectations and standards that are expected and to which participants are held.  By signing the Social Contract, the inmate voluntarily takes on the responsibility of self-examination.

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In June 2021 the largest national survey that measures recidivism, conducted by the Virginia Department of Corrections, shows South Carolina has a 21.9 percent return-to-prison rate for all inmates who have been out of prison for three years.  South Carolina has the lowest recidivism rate in the nation and its lowest in more than 25 years. 

 Rentry