NCJ Number
55314
Date Published
1977
Length
129 pages
Annotation
A COST-BENEFIT ASSESSMENT OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND PLACEMENT PROGRAMS IN THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS (CDC) AND THE CALIFORNIA YOUTH AUTHORITY (CYA) IS DOCUMENTED.
Abstract
BASED ON INTERVIEWS WITH PRISON ADMINISTRATIVE AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING PERSONNEL, SURVEYS OF INMATES AND WARDS, AND REVIEWS OF INMATE RECORDS, THE REPORT COVERS THE BENEFITS AND COSTS OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING, OPERATIONAL ISSUES, INMATE PAY, AND JOB PLACEMENT. IT WAS FOUND THAT BY 6 MONTHS AFTER RELEASE, ONLY 22 PERCENT OF CDC TRAINEES AND 12 PERCENT OF CYA TRAINEES ARE WORKING IN THEIR TRADE OF TRAINING. THE UNDERLYING REASONS FOR THE LOW EFFECTIVENESS OF MANY VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMS APPEARS TO BE THE MULTIPLE HANDICAPS OF THE STUDENTS THEMSELVES. HOWEVER, THE TRAINING PROGRAMS HAVE SHORTCOMINGS, AND THERE IS NO SINGLE REFORM THAT COULD WORK A DRAMATIC CHANGE. SOME COURSES HAVE AN INHERENTLY LOW POTENTIAL FOR EFFECTIVENESS (E.G., BUILDING MAINTENANCE, HOUSEKEEPING, BAKING), AND IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THESE BE ELIMINATED. STANDARDS THAT ALL COURSES SHOULD MEET ARE SPECIFIED, INCLUDING AVERAGE ENROLLMENT EXCEEDING 15, HIGHEST CLASS QUOTAS AND ENROLLMENTS IN COURSES THAT TAKE THE LONGEST TIME TO COMPLETE, A MINIMUM EARNING POWER OF $3.65 (PREFERABLY OVER $4.20) PER HOUR IN THE FIRST YEAR OF WORK, AND PLACEMENT RATES EXCEEDING 20 PERCENT FOR CDC COURSES. OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS PERTAIN TO CHANGING SOME COURSES FROM CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION TO WORK CREW INSTRUCTION; OFFERING BONUSES FOR COMPLETING A CLASS, PERIODIC BONUSES BASED ON ACHIEVEMENT IN CLASS, AND INCENTIVE PAY FOR PRODUCTIVITY; TRAINING EXISTING TEACHING AND PAROLE PERSONNEL TO PERFORM JOB PLACEMENT FUNCTIONS; AND EXPANDING DIRECT PLACEMENT PROGRAMS OF PARTICIPATION BY EMPLOYING COMPANY IN TRAINING. THE RECOMMENDED CHANGES WOULD RESULT IN NET REDUCTIONS OF $493,000 AND $163,000 IN CDC AND CYA EXPENDITURES, RESPECTIVELY. A SUMMARY, SUPPORTING DATA, AND COPIES OF STUDY INSTRUMENTS ARE PROVIDED. (LKM)