Comparative Study of the Effects of a College Employment and Training Program on Post-Release Arrest, Conviction, and Sentence Outcomes for Ex-Offenders

• NCJ Number: 70842
• Author(s): J L Jengeleski
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 130 pages
• Sale Source: UMI Dissertation Services
• Publication Type: Thesis/Dissertation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS. Temple University - doctoral dissertation. Presented at the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1981

Annotation

The study investigates the effects of an on-campus college training and employment program on selected New Jersey ex-offenders, with regard to postrelease status.

Abstract

Study subjects included 150 ex-offenders. Group one subjects were enrolled in the Ex-Cons Helping Youth program of Glassboro State College in New Jersey between September 1977 and September 1979. Group two nonparticipants were selected randomly from release files. Groups three and four (additional control groups) were randomly selected from the New Castle Correctional Institution of Wilmington, Delaware. All four groups were measured concerning postrelease recidivism outcomes. The instrument used to measure recidivism was the FBI followup reports concerning postrelease outcomes for a 2-year period. It was hypothesized that ex-offender program participants would have significantly lower postrelease recidivism outcomes with regard to number of arrests, number of convictions, and number of sentences than those ex-offender program participants would have significantly lower postrelease recidivism outcomes with regard to number of arrests, number of convictions, and number of sentences than those ex-offenders who did not participate. A one-way analysis of variance was employed, and results were analyzed for significance at the 0.05 level of probability. Findings indicate that ex-offender participants had lower postrelease recidivism outcomes in total subjects arrested, convicted, and sentenced as compared with nonparticipants. The study should be replicated over the next 5 years to determine the long-term effects of program participation. In addition, studies are needed to assess the possible differential treatment effects of ex-offender programs. Tables, about 80 references, notes, and appendixes presenting the FBI report form and a letter are included. Author abstract modified.