NCJ Number
81309
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 45 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1981) Pages: 3-8
Date Published
1981
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article presents the results of a study on the postrelease employment of Federal offenders, particularly minority offenders, and the effect of Community Treatment Center (CTC) placement on postrelease employment and recidivism.
Abstract
For the employment section of the study, the sample consisted of 974 randomly selected parolees released during the first half of 1978. The sample for the recidivism analysis consisted of 2,108 randomly selected offenders released during the first half of 1978 and included all types of release. Findings indicate that a substantial number of Federal parolees encounter employment difficulties. At 1 year after release, the unemployment rate was 24 percent, and the median earnings were only $6,025. In addition, minority offenders, particularly those under 25 years old, experienced more severe employment difficulties than white offenders. However, release through a CTC was found to significantly improve the postrelease employment success of both white and minority parolees. Releases through a CTC showed lower unemployment rates, more days worked, and more money earned. Relating these findings to recidivism, CTC release was found to be significantly associated with reduced recidivism for minority offenders but not for white offenders. Further analysis supported the hypothesis that release through a CTC was more effective in reducing recidivism only for minority offenders because of the greater disadvantages minority offenders face in gaining employment. Tables, footnotes, and eight references are included. (Author summary modified)