Relationship Between Recidivism and Participation in a Community College Associate of Arts Degree Program for Incarcerated Offenders (From Proceedings of the Thirty-Sixth Annual Correctional Education Association Conference, P 1-7, 1981 - See NCJ-85125)

• NCJ Number: 85126
• Author(s): F S Blackburn
• Date Published: 1981
• Length: 7 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

A sample of participants in a community college program used by inmates in the Maryland Correctional Training Center showed a significant reduction in recidivism when compared with a matched group of nonparticipants.

Abstract

The objectives of the research were (1) to determine any difference between the recidivism rates of the two study groups (n=189) as measured by arrests for new crimes or reconfinement from parole violations, (2) to determine the direction of the differences established in the first objective, and (3) to determine which group had the longer periods of freedom after release before reconfinement. Matched subjects were found for each member of the experimental group, so that the members of the two groups differed only in the matter of participation in the associate of arts degree program offered by Hagerstown Junior College (Md.). Participants in the college program had an overall recidivism rate one-third lower than the nonparticipants. In comparing the recidivists of the two groups, there was no significant difference in the length of release time before they recidivated. The study methodology is suitable for replication in evaluating other types of inmate programs. Four bibliographical entries are provided.