Study of improved prison conditions launches in Vandalia | Mid-Missouri News [Video]

VANDALIA — A five-year prison trial aims to study how improved prison conditions affect conduct violations and recidivism seen in incarcerated people. 

The Missouri Prison Transformation Project is a randomized controlled trial. Selected individuals will move from general population to newly renovated housing units, which feature more home-like conditions. The study will also focus on turnover of corrections staff. 

Kelli Canada, as associate professor and associate director of research at the University of Missouri School of Social Work, secured a $2.8 million grant for the project from Arnold Ventures, a nonprofit advocacy group that focuses on criminal justice, health and infrastructure.

Canada said the project is informed by international best practices in corrections and her past collaborations between MU and the Missouri Department of Corrections, including the Prison Research Innovation Network (PRIN). Through PRIN, Canada heard from groups of incarcerated people and staff about what they wanted when it came to improvements in prison.

“We …