Enrolling in College While in Prison: Factors That Promote Male and Female Prisoners To Participate

• NCJ Number: 247123
• Journal: Journal of Correctional Education Volume: 65 Issue: 2 Dated: May 2014 Pages: 20-39
• Author(s): Kristin Rose; Chris Rose
• Date Published: May 2014
• Length: 20 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical); Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

In the course of determining whether there is a difference in male and female inmate participation in postsecondary prison education programs, this study also identified factors that contribute to male and female participation in these programs.

Abstract

The first two logistical regression models did not show any significant difference in male and female inmate participation in postsecondary programming during incarceration; however, when a more sophisticated model was analyzed that included highest grade attended, income, inmate status, and time served in prison, female inmates had more factors than male inmates that were associated with participation in college-level programs compared to male inmates. Three models used in the study suggest that differences other than gender between male and female inmates were associated with participation in college-level programs. Age was significant for participation only for male prisoners; it was negatively correlated with age. Race was a significant predictor of participation in college courses for males but not females, with White male prisoners being more likely to participate than non-White prisoners. Like education level prior to entering prison, income prior to incarceration had a positive significant relationship to participation for both male and female inmates. Inmate status was a significant predictor of participation in college courses only for males. Federal inmates were the most likely to participate in college programming. For male prisoners, participating in all the other types of prison programs was found to be significantly and positively related to participating in college classes. Data used in this study were obtained from the 2004 Survey of Inmates in State and Federal correctional facilities. Personal interviews were conducted with prisoners from October 2003 through May 2004. Suggestions for future research focus on the definition of program success. 42 references