HARRISBURG, Pa., June 24, 2016 — (PRNewswire) — The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections recently posted to its website a new, interactive map allowing citizens to track the numbers of inmates released from state prison each year by committing county.

"Our agency has focused resources on a number of reentry initiatives that also are expected to reduce recidivism, such as performance-based contracts, employment initiatives and expedited enrollment in health insurance coverage," Corrections Secretary John Wetzel said.  "This interactive map can assist providers of these services to estimate the need and the number of returning citizens they can service."

Wetzel also noted that the DOC is a leader in government transparency and said that the map supports his agency's effort to provide information to the general public directly.

The interactive map, which is available on the DOC's website, provides statewide release totals for the years 2013, 2014 and 2015.  In addition, by clicking on individual counties, gender, race and risk score information is provided.

The risk score is a risk screening tool that was developed and is used by DOC staff to determining an offender's general risk to re-offend after his/her release from prison.  According to the tool, individuals are classified as low, medium or high risk for re-offending.  This helps to show the general risk composition of different individuals returning to communities.

The DOC will continue to update the map with new tabs as each subsequent year's statistical information becomes available.

Individuals can access this new, interactive map at www.cor.pa.gov

MEDIA CONTACT: Susan McNaughton, 717-728-4025

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SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Corrections