Front Page / Guides / PolicyOptions Issue Brief Guide / Content & Formatting / Scope of the Problem

Issue Brief Content by Section

Scope of the Problem

Sample Scope of the Problem Entry

• Research suggests that there is an inverse relationship between recidivism rates and the age in which an offender is released. "In one study of 272,111 prisoners (both juveniles and adults), over 80% of youth under the age of 18 were rearrested, compared to 45.3% of those 45 or older.^[1]

Characteristics of an Effective Scope of the Problem Entry

The scope of the problem section provides factual statements on the extent of the problem in the past,current, or future. 

The information can be provided in bullet point form.  The information sources for each bullet point should be provided using the footnote feature (see explanation of how to create footnotes in this wiki). 

Content Guide

• Section 1 — Goal Statement 
• Section 2 — Scope of the Problem
• Section 3 — Past Policy & Program Milestones
• Section 4 — Current Policy & Programs
• Section 5 — Policy Options or Model Programs
• Section 6 — Key Organizations
• Section 7 — Glossary of Terms