For decades, correctional systems have gauged success through recidivism rates—but what if that measure tells only part of the story? A report from the Correctional Leaders Association (CLA), led by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, challenges that long-standing approach and offers a data-driven alternative that connects correctional outcomes to public health.
Social Determinants of Health Applied to Corrections urges a shift away from recidivism as the primary performance measure. Research shows that recidivism is shaped by factors far beyond correctional control—laws, supervision policies, and even pandemic disruptions.
Instead, CLA recommends metrics based on Social Determinants of Health (SDH), such as education, employment, housing, and health care access. Tracking outcomes like post-release employment, Medicaid enrollment, and educational achievement provides a more accurate, timely, and actionable view of system success—aligning correctional and health care efforts to improve safety, rehabilitation, and community reintegration.