What works in prison? Revisiting reintegration programs in Mexico

Abstract This paper explores the classic questions of whether social reintegration programs are successful and, if so, which correctional program yields better results. We seek to respond to these questions with information gathered from the most recent national incarcerated population survey in Mexico, based on the imprisoned persons’ perspectives regarding their expectations for social reintegration and prison reentry. The empirical strategy consisted of two steps: identifying the characteristics of programs considered useful for social reintegration and exploring the association between perceptions of these tools and expectations for prison reentry. A propensity score matching analysis and the estimation of two classification methods were implemented, while an instrumental variables analysis was used for the latter. Results show that incarcerated persons perceive those programs aimed at providing them with work skills and furthering their education to be more helpful. These are also associated with a decreased expectation of prison reentry.