A Large-Scale Multidimensional Test of the Effect of Prison Education Programs on Offenders' Behavior

Abstract

This study examined the prison behavior and postrelease recidivism of more than 14,000 inmates released from Texas prisons in 1991 and 1992. Comparisons were made between participants and nonparticipants in prison education programs on a variety of behavioral outcomes. The findings suggest that these programs may be most effective when intensive efforts are focused on the most educationally disadvantaged prisoners. Implications for correctional education policy and correctional program research are discussed.

An Examination of Employment and Earning Outcomes of Probationers With Criminal and Substance Use Histories

“…Probationers with a high school diploma or greater are predicted to make 200 dollars more than probationers without a high school education. This finding replicates the previous empirical literature that demonstrates the pro-social and economic advantages of increased education on employment and earnings outcomes for offenders (Adams et al, 1994;Makarios, Steiner, & Travis, 2010).…”

Effectiveness of Vocational Education and Employment Programs for Adult Offenders

“…These studies, while not as strong as the ones previously outlined, may still allow for conclusions which can be made with some certainty. Adams et al (1994) conducted a large scale evaluation of the effects of education programs on an entire release cohort in Texas. This evaluation had substantial shortcomings in terms of its control for the effects of program drop-outs and the selection of subjects into each group.…”

Crime and rehabilitation: Correctional education as an agent of change—A research note

“…Other studies, however, conclude that correctional education "doesn't work" in that prison treatment programs--including juvenile and adult prison education programs--do not cause significant reductions in recidivism rates (Lab and Whitehead 1990;Lipton, Martinson, and Wilks 1975;Whitehead and Lab 1989). Yet other scholars take a "middleground" position, concluding that prison education can work if certain conditions or criteria are met: programs are more likely to succeed if they provide intensive small-group interaction, if they Downloaded by [MUSC Library] at 07:41 13 June 2016 furmsh follow-up or postrelease support services, and if they target particularly needy, high-risk participants (Adams et al 1994;Andrews et al 1990aAndrews et al , 1990bCullen and Gendreau 1989;Ross 1979, 1987;Linden and Perry 1983;Martin, Sechrest, and Redner 1981;Palmer 1983Palmer , 1991.…”