Effectiveness of Vocational Education and Employment Programs for Adult Offenders

Abstract

A number of jurisdictions have adopted vocational education and employment programs intended, among other aims, to reduce recidivism among adult correctional populations. Because of the well-established links between low educational attainment, unemployment and crime, these programs do seem to target a risk factor for recidivism. Whether, in fact, they are effective in reducing future offending behavior is still open to question. This review assesses the empirical status of the effectiveness of vocational education and employment programs by drawing conclusions based upon systematic rankings of methodological rigor of individual program evaluations. Evaluation research in vocational education/job training, community employment, and correctional industries program areas was assessed. Based upon rankings of methodological rigor and specific decision criteria for assessing overall empirical support for program effectiveness, several types were identified as generally successful at reducing offender recidivism, including vocational education, multi-component correctional industry, and community employ-Downloaded by [Queensland University of Technology] at 06:34 21 November 2014 JOURNAL OF OFFENDER REHABILITATION 2 ment programs. The pervasive lack of rigorous program evaluation in this area limits the kinds of conclusions that can be drawn and points toward a clear research agenda for providing stronger evidence on the effectiveness of vocational education and correctional work programs. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery

Why Work While Incarcerated? Inmate Perceptions on Prison Industries Employment

“…1 The studies that have been conducted are limited by methodological problems, particularly selection bias (Bouffard, MacKenzie, & Hickman, 2000). Given that inmates self-select into prison industries employment, it is hard for researchers to isolate the impact of the program on recidivism.…”

“…Despite the mixed results of previous studies, several reviews of correctional programming have concluded that, despite the ''generally weak methodological character of these studies'' (Wilson, Gallagher, & MacKenzie, 2000, p. 347), there is enough evidence to suggest that prison industries are effective in reducing recidivism (Aos, Miller, & Drake, 2006;Bouffard et al, 2000;Wilson et al, 2000). Yet the studies that have been conducted provide little evidence as to specifically why prison industries may be effective in reducing recidivism or how it impacts male and female inmates differently.…”

Offender Rehabilitation: Examining Changes in Inmate Treatment Characteristics, Program Participation, and Institutional Behavior

“…Therapeutic communities, particularly when followed by aftercare in the community, and cognitive-behavioral programs have proven to be especially effective in reducing substance abuse and recidivism (see Aos et al, 2006;Butzin et al, 2002;Griffith et al, 1999;Knight et al, 1999;Lipsey & Cullen, 2007;Lipton, 1995;Inciardi et al, 2004;Martin, Butzin, Saum, & Inciardi, 1999;Wexler et al, 1990). Similar reductions are also seen with regard to prison education and jobs programs (Aos et al, 2006;Bouffard, MacKenzie, & Hickman, 2000;Finn, 1999;Goldman & Pradhan, 2002;Lipsey & Cullen, 2007;Vacca, 2004;Wilson, Gallagher, & MacKenzie, 2000). For example, a recent meta-analysis by Aos et al (2006) found that vocational programming in prison reduces re-offending by more than 12%, and participation in basic adult education programs yields a reduction in recidivism of more than 5% (Aos et al, 2006).…”

Work Release as a Transition: Positioning Success Via the Halfway House

“…Overall, HWHs have been effective in reentry practice (Austin, 2001;MacKenzie, 2000;Seiter & Kadela, 2003;Marion, 2002;Zhang, Roberts, & Callanan, 2006a, 2006b. HWH programs that adhere to the tenets of the RNR model have been especially effective (Clear & Schrantz, 2011;Bouffard, MacKenzie, & Hickman, 2000;Lowenkamp & Latessa, 2005;Lowenkamp, Latessa, & Smith, 2006;Ostermann, 2009;Taxman, Rexroat, Shilton, Mericle, & Lerch, 2010;White, Mellow, Englander, & Ruffinengo, 2011). It is common that interventions may be tailored (i.e., offenders with substance abuse issues may be placed in facilities that primarily offer drug treatment counseling while offenders with employment issues may be placed in facilities that offer offender employment assistance, vocational training, and work release programs).…”

“…The stigma of being an exoffender hinders many offenders from successfully reintegrating. Work-release HWHs have been successful in rehabilitating offenders, providing employment or vocational assistance, and reducing recidivism of the offenders participating in a HWH program (Bouffard et al, 2000;Lowenkamp et al, 2006;Ostermann, 2009;Taxman et al, 2010;White et al, 2011). Work-release and work-furlough programs have been utilized to aid offenders in preparing for, and actually reintegrating into, the community.…”