THE NEED
Half of people leaving Connecticut prisons go back within three years
Instability is costly for families, communities and taxpayers. The research also shows what breaks the cycle.
Young adults return most often
Share of the 2022 Connecticut release cohort (5,809 people) back in Department of Correction custody within 36 months
All people released
50%
Women
45%
Age 25 and under
64%
Source: Connecticut Office of Policy and Management, Brief: 2026 Recidivism Study, 2022 Release Cohort
The first year after release matters most
Cumulative share of U.S. state prisoners rearrested, by time since release (30 states, 2005 release cohort)
28.2%
43.4%
59.5%
67.8%
73.0%
76.6%
6 mo
1 yr
2 yr
3 yr
4 yr
5 yr
More than half of all rearrests in the five years after release happen in that first year. Family & Re-Entry Support targets exactly this window.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, Recidivism of Prisoners Released in 30 States in 2005 (April 2014). This chart measures rearrest; the Connecticut chart measures return to custody.
What works: education changes the outcome
43%
lower odds of returning to prison for people in correctional education
$4 to $5
in incarceration costs saved for every $1 spent on prison education
28%
more likely to be employed after vocational training
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, announcing the RAND Corporation correctional education study (August 22, 2013)
Our Impact
Through structured programming and strategic partnerships, I Am works to:
Increase housing stability
Improve income consistency
Strengthen financial capability
Reduce reliance on emergency services
Support long-term independence
Our programs are continuously evaluated to ensure accountability, effectiveness, and meaningful outcomes.
Measuring What Matters
I Am is committed to transparency and accountability. We track outcomes such as:
Housing stability and retention
Employment placement and income growth
Financial capability improvements
Reduced reliance on emergency services
Data is used to strengthen programs, inform partners, and demonstrate impact to funders and stakeholders.