Reentry Planning of the Future?: A Balanced Critique of Web-based Reentry Planning Applications

Traditional approaches to reentry programming, which tend to be deficit-based and involve individuals passively, have met with mixed results. New approaches are clearly needed and strategies that incorporate innovative technologies to facilitate greater information sharing across reentry stakeholders and encourage individuals to take responsibility for their own reentry planning, carry great promise for improving reentry outcomes. To support these objectives, a relatively novel reentry planning application (app), Pokket, is intended to enhance reentry programming and reduce recidivism by enabling the sharing of client-level data across reentry stakeholders and empowering individuals to take ownership over their reentry. Despite the promise of this technology and its expanded use across correctional systems, little research has investigated its utility in supporting returning citizens and the service providers who work with them. In this paper, we offer a balanced critique of web-based reentry planning app adoption by applying the first three stages of the evaluation hierarchy framework during our experience of evaluating the implementation of this technology in North Carolina prisons. Specifically, we examine the need, theoretical underpinnings, and implementation of Pokket. We conclude by presenting considerations for other agencies and organizations that are considering leveraging this technology.