Research conducted on the benefits of the Prison SMART Program

Various research projects track the varied benefits of the Prison SMART, and evaluate its immediate and long-term quantifiable results. The most recent pilot project was completed at the Madison County (Illinois) Juvenile Detention Facility.

One of the current ongoing research projects is being conducted by Paradigm Consultants. Some of the basic findings include:

• 80 percent of the inmates report a full night’s sleep as a result of the SMART Program
• 60 percent of the inmates report that they are less prone to act aggressively towards staff, and they attribute this change to the program
• In housing units, where the Prison Program has been offered, staff report substantial increases in inmate cooperation
• 75 percent of the staff who observe the program, or have heard about it, request that we conduct a program for them, and their families. In fact, when staff members are asked if they are happy with the results, the reply is always the same: “The Program is fantastic! When can you do one for us? We need it! Working here, is really tough. Our families are also affected by this place!”