Recidivism Effects of the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) Program Vary by Former Prisoners’ Risk of Reoffending

MDRC is currently conducting an impact evaluation of the New York City-based Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO). This report presents the interim results from the CEO program, which is a transitional jobs program designed to help former prisoners increase longer-term employment and reduce recidivism. Overall, results show that the program has had the highest rate of reductions in recidivism for the highest risk former prisoners. Researchers suggest similar transitional jobs initiatives target the highest risk population with the highest likelihood of reoffending.