Researching Delaware’s Recidivism Rate Through The Hope Commission’s Achievement Center

• Ottoniel Mendez-Castro, Political Science, University of Delaware

• Sheldon Rennie, Political Science, University of Delaware
• Wayne Batchis, Political Science, University of Delaware

Currently the United States of America has one the highest recidivism rates in the world. Year after year, prisoners in the United States are released but commit crimes that land them either back in prison or jail. The recidivism rates throughout the states differ, Delaware has a top five rate in the nation. Delaware has implemented several programs in order to stunt the growing recidivism rate such as establishing certain centers that allow prisoners who qualify for special release programs to receive some form of structure that can lead to a more successful future. This summer I had the privilege of working with the New Castle County Superior Court of Delaware in order to research reentry programs that have a partnership with the court. The program established that I focused on was the Hope Commission’s Achievement Center. The HCAC was established in 2014, and since then has been able to help select inmates that apply to the program in search of support outside prison walls. It is important to note that the HCAC does not accept every inmate that applies to the program, women and sex offenders are barred from applying. Also the center only serves inmates that live in three specific area codes located in inner city Wilmington, Delaware. The program has been able to produce productive members of society, and continues to keep up their service to the community.