activities; conduct ongoing research and data analysis on evidencebased
recidivism reduction programs related to the use of risk and needs
assessment, the most effective and efficient uses of such programs,
which programs are the most effective at reducing recidivism, and
the type, amount, and intensity of programming that most effectively
reduces the risk of recidivism, and products purchased by federal
agencies that are manufactured overseas and could be manufactured
by prisoners participating in a prison work program without reducing job
opportunities for other workers in the United States; annually review and
validate the risk and needs assessment system, including an evaluation
to ensure that assessments are based on dynamic risk factors (i.e., risk
factors that can change); validate any tools that the system uses; and
evaluate the recidivism rates among similarly classified prisoners to
identify any unwarranted disparities, including disparities in such rates
among similarly classified prisoners of different demographic groups,
and make any changes to the system necessary to address any that are
identified; and submit an annual report to Congress each year for five
years starting in 2020.
Prior to releasing the system, DOJ is required to consult with the
Independent Review Committee to reviewing the effectiveness of
recidivism reduction programs in prisons operated by BOP; review
available information regarding the effectiveness of recidivism reduction
programs and productive activities provided in state prisons; review the
policies for entering into recidivism reduction partnerships authorized by
the act; and direct BOP regarding evidence-based recidivism reduction
programs, the ability for faith-based organizations to provide educational
programs outside of religious courses, and the addition of any new
effective recidivism reduction programs that DOJ finds.
Under the act, the system is required to provide guidance on the
type, amount, and intensity of recidivism reduction programming and
productive activities to which each prisoner is assigned, including
information on which programs prisoners should participate in based on
their criminogenic needs and the ways that BOP can tailor programs to
the specific criminogenic needs of each prisoner to reduce their risk of
recidivism. The system is also required to provide guidance on how to
176 The TRUMP RALLY Publication