The New York City Health Justice Network (NYC HJN), an innovative health service delivery program for individuals returning from incarceration, was developed and implemented by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) with funding from the Criminal Justice Investment Initiative (CJII), a partnership between CUNY ISLG and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office (DANY). NYC HJN sought to provide individuals recently released from incarceration with peer support from community health workers (CHW) with lived experience of successful reentry from the criminal legal system and access to integrated primary care and social services.

NYC HJN addressed a wide range of client health needs, including support with health insurance, primary care, dental care, mental and behavioral health, and social service needs such as assistance with employment, housing, food security, obtaining vital documents (e.g., identification), and legal support.

Through CJII funding, NYU-CUNY Prevention Research Center (PRC) conducted an outcome evaluation of the program. Following an interim evaluation of the program that found a high level of program engagement, the final report findings offer preliminary evidence of NYC HJN’s ability to reduce future criminal legal system involvement among participants. The accompanying policy brief offers recommendations for future investments and programs.

More specifically, this final evaluation report aims to examine the association of NYC HJN program participation with criminal legal system re-involvement outcomes, including re-arrests, conviction/reconviction and reincarceration at 6- and 12-months post program start.

The evaluation also demonstrates how reentry programs that adopt a holistic approach to supporting individuals released from incarceration may support a more successful transition  back into the community.

By simultaneously addressing health and social needs and relating to persons with criminal legal involvement using a trauma-informed approach, NYC HJN and public health programs like it have the potential to play a critical role in supporting successful community re-integration of people with prior criminal legal involvement.

See CUNY ISLG’s blog for a look at the value of reentry programs tailoring their services to address the wide-ranging needs of individuals reintegrating into the community.

Download the report here.

Download the policy brief here.