NH looks to cut inmate recidivism

Kevin Landrigan reports in the Nashua Telegraph on state efforts to cut the rate of which released prisoners re-offend.

Gov. John Lynch said the 44 percent rate – measured by the percentage of inmates who commit a crime or violate parole and land back behind bars within three years of release – is unacceptable. The grant of up to $700,000 in cost and three years in length will analyze state correction policies and the criminal code for possible solutions, Lynch said.

"To make New Hampshire safer and to reduce correction costs, we must do more to ensure that released offenders become productive and contributing members of our state, and not commit new crimes," Lynch said at a news conference to announce the grant.