NCJ Number
81230
Date Published
1976
Length
146 pages
Annotation
This study investigated the coeducational experience of inmates at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Framingham.
Abstract
The study was concerned with a recidivism analysis, an analysis of selected programs at Framingham, and a program completion/noncompletion analysis. A literature review examined the effects of correctional treatment and the problems in correctional research in general, provided an historical perspective on corrections, and looked at select programs at Framingham. The comparison between the expected recidivism rate (30.6 percent) at Framingham and the actual recidivism rate (15.4 percent) revealed a significant reduction in recidivism for the first 156 men and women released from Framingham since it became a coeducational facility. The impact of the Framingham program was also found to be especially effective in reducing recidivism for men and women who had histories of drug abuse. Also examined were the effects of four programs offered at Framingham (furlough program, work release program, education release program, and counseling program) on the rate of recidivism. In general, all of the programs except the counseling program had a positive effect on the recidivism rate. Only the results of the work release data were statistically significant, but the trends of the furlough and education release programs were in the positive direction. These results were consistent for both men and women. Further, program completion/noncompletion data identified a profile of distinguishing characteristics of those men who did not successfully complete the Framingham program. This profile could be used as an aid to decisionmaking in screening men for transfer to Framingham. Study codes and data, tables, and over 40 references are appended. (Author abstract modified)