Experts and politicians alike have argued for years about reforming the U.S. prison system, especially in light of the fact that we have the highest prison population rate in the world. But one piece of the puzzle tends to be forgotten: recidivism. 

Defined by the National Institute of Justice as “a person’s relapse into criminal behavior, often after the person receives sanctions or undergoes intervention for a previous crime,” recidivism is a glaring issue. In fact, one study found that within three years of release, about two-thirds of released prisoners were rearrested.

Thankfully, several programs across the country are doing something about this problem, and it looks like Denver soon may be the newest destination for an initiative in that same vein. Back in December, Denver City Councilman Albus Brooks and several Denver natives, including former gang members, visited the various social enterprises of Los Angeles’ Homeboy Industries, the nationally renowned gang rehabilitation program, for the purpose of garnering ideas for a similar program.

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