NCJ Number
113135
Date Published
1988
Length
81 pages
Annotation
This three-publication series presents the findings of a 1986-1987 study of employment status of 760 Illinois prison releasees, recommendations for improving vocational and educational services in the State's correctional facilities, and a summary of findings and recommendations.
Abstract
Data were compared for releases in vocational, academic, and combined training programs and for controls. Results indicate that the vocational and combined training groups had the highest rate of employment and a slightly lower rate of unemployment over time than the other two groups. The control group had the highest rate of criminal activity. The academic group had the lowest employment, highest unemployment, and second highest criminal activity rates. Vocational completers had a higher employment rate and lower arrest rate than did vocational noncompleters, who in turn fared better on these variables than did controls. Vocational enrollment was highest in the industrial training area, but health occupation enrollees had a higher percentage of completions. Results also demonstrate the effectiveness of the offender tracking system in producing educational and vocational training ad hoc reports. Recommendations based on results consider program design and procedures, service coordination, and program monitoring and evaluation. Additional recommendations further consider program planning, funding, objectives, design, and evaluation. Appendixes include forms and data collection instruments. 17 figures.