Potter,  Randall County Jail Recidivism

There’s an increase in the number of graduates from intensive programs in Potter and Randall Counties Jails and the programs are being credited with keeping prisoners stay out of jail, once released.

The programs offer basic life skills and resources helping former prisoners to want to make a change.

Randall County’s PREP program offers a 12 to 18-month prisoner re-entry course.

The Randall County Sheriffs Department says more than 60 percent of the people that have completed the program have not returned to jail.

They credit that to a faith-based program started by jail staffers.

Potter County offers similar intensive programs where 80 percent of the men and 98 percent of the women who have graduated from it, do not re-enter into a life of crime.

Potter County officials credit that to changing the culture of the jail.

Story by:  Chuck Williams