NCJ Number
142566
Date Published
1992
Length
91 pages
Annotation
A Texas program developed in 1989 to address the educational needs of offenders and reduce recidivism was evaluated with respect to its process and outcomes.
Abstract
The Reading to Reduce Recidivism (3R) program was developed because of increasing evidence that the lack of education and problemsolving skills can contribute to criminal behavior. The program provided G.E.D. preparatory, language, mathematical, and life skills curricula delivered by means of a computer-assisted system. The program combined competency-based, individualized instruction with the open entry and open exit feature provided by computer software. The program ended in August 1991 after 19 months of operation. A process and outcome evaluation of the program revealed that the placement of too offenders and the wrong type of offenders in the program effectively nullified any program success. In addition, the program's administrative and operational structure was ineffective. Nevertheless, computer-assisted instruction and the transitional methodology of the program appeared to be an effective treatment delivery option for offenders and may be effective in reducing recidivism. Figures, tables, and appended forms and background information