NCJ Number
241415
Date Published
January 2013
Length
86 pages
Annotation
The findings and methodology are presented from an evaluation of the Texas Windham School District (WSD), which provides secondary-level vocational training in various trades to inmates housed in Texas correctional facilities.
Abstract
The evaluation addresses the types of training services provided, the types of employment obtained upon release, whether employment is related to the training received, the difference between earnings on the initial data of employment, and on the first anniversary of the date; employment retention factors are also identified. The evaluation found that 55 percent of the Prison and State jail group that completed WSD training were employed compared to 45.2 percent of those in the non-vocational comparison group; 59.1 percent of the Intensive Treatment Programs vocational completion group were employed compared to 53.9 percent of those in the non-vocational comparison group. For the Prison and State Jail study group, offenders who had attained a GED or high school diploma were employed and retained employment at a higher rate than those who had not. In the WSD Prison and State Jail group, vocationally trained offenders less than 25 years old exhibited higher employment than those of the same age group who participated but without completing the training or those who did not receive vocational training. For all age groups and nearly all educational levels, offenders in the Prison and State Jail vocational completion group had higher employment retention rates than those in the vocational non-completion and non-vocational comparison groups. Currently, WSD provides vocational training in just over 30 trades under the Career and Technical Education program. WSD also provides post-secondary academic and vocational training to offenders through contracts with 2-year colleges. Currently, post-secondary vocational training is provided in 21 trades under the college vocational program. This is a decrease from 23 trades during the previous year. Appended detailed charts and tables on WSD services and participation