As part of Etown’s Summer Creative Arts and Research Program (SCARP), Legal Studies major Anastacia Colon ’28 is studying recidivism rates among inmates who participated in substance use treatment programs in Pennsylvania and Virginia, contributing to ongoing conversations surrounding correctional rehabilitation and reentry planning.
Working alongside Ashley Yinger, Assistant Professor of Teaching, Criminal Justice, whose background includes more than 17 years in the behavioral health field, Colon will compare Pennsylvania and Virginia’s correctional systems and implementation of substance use treatment during incarceration to contribute to conversations surrounding the role of treatment and continuity of care in reducing reoffending.
Title of Research:
Recidivism and Incarceration-Based Substance Use Treatment: A Comparative Policy and Program Analysis of Pennsylvania and Virginia
Student Researcher:
Anastacia Colon ’28 (Legal Studies)
Faculty Mentor:
Ashley Yinger, Assistant Professor of Teaching, Criminal Justice
What are you researching?
Colon: This project examines the relationship between substance use treatment participation during incarceration and post-release recidivism. This relationship will be compared with policies and programs across the counties of Pennsylvania and Virginia. There will be a review and synthesis of data, including state correctional reports, legislative documents, program evaluations, and existing research literature. This research intends to inform policy discussions surrounding correctional rehabilitation and reentry planning.
Why did you choose this topic?
Colon: I chose this topic because I had previously done a literature review on substance use treatment and recidivism within prison reentry in Dr. Yinger’s CJ220: Corrections in America course. I was extremely interested in the subject and wanted to do more research on what was currently being done in our society to help those with substance use disorders and reentry planning. Substance use disorders are prevalent among the incarcerated population and research has suggested that treatment and continuity of care play a critical role in reducing reoffending. This project can help Pennsylvania find ways to improve how their treatment programs are implemented, funded, and integrated into our correctional systems.
What is the most interesting aspect of this research?
Colon: It has been interesting to see how different Pennsylvania and Virginia’s correctional systems function. I have seen how Pennsylvania and Virginia implement their substance use treatment programs within their correctional facilities, and it has shown how vastly different they are. I have found that Virginia has a much more rigorous implementation for both treatment and reentry planning than Pennsylvania does. This makes me more intrigued about the reasons these two states are so different in how they implement programs and policies into their correctional facilities, as they both have similar resources available.
What are you hoping to accomplish through this research project?
Colon: Through this project, I hope to uncover information on how Pennsylvania can improve recidivism rates with the help of previous research literature and data from Virginia, as it has the lowest recidivism rate compared to Pennsylvania and national averages. I also hope to bring awareness to the need for substance use treatment programs in Pennsylvania and how current programming in our correctional facilities can be improved across the state.
Talk about working with your mentor. How have they helped you throughout this experience?
Colon: Dr. Yinger has been exceptional in aiding me with resources and providing information about our topic. She has allowed me to be independent in researching different aspects of the topic and has improved my confidence in the work I have done so far. I greatly appreciate all of the work that she has put into supporting my questions about this topic so that this project could be possible.
Hear from the faculty mentor- Dr. Ashley Yinger
“It has been a pleasure working with Ana. She is highly organized, self-motivated, and deeply invested in this project, as it aligns closely with both her interests and future career goals. Ana has developed a strong understanding of the research and project requirements, allowing her to approach her work thoughtfully and methodically while seeking guidance when needed.”
