Analysis of Recidivism Rates for Participants of the Academic/Vocational/Transition Education Programs Offered by the Virginia Department of Correctional Education

• NCJ Number: 183592
• Journal: Journal of Correctional Education Volume: 51 Issue: 2 Dated: June 2000 Pages: 256-261
• Author(s): Kim A. Hull; Stewart Forrester; James Brown; David Jobe; Charles McCullen
• Date Published: June 2000
• Length: 6 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This paper analyzes recidivism rates for participants in the academic, vocational, and transition education programs offered by the Virginia Department of Correctional Education.

Abstract

A study examined 3,000 records of men and women released by the Virginia Department of Corrections (DOC) during 1979-1994. The records were examined with regard to individuals’ involvement in educational programs while incarcerated, post-release reincarceration within the Virginia DOC and employment status while on parole/probation. Completion of an educational program while incarcerated was positively and directly related to post-release community adjustment. The employability rate of persons who completed educational programming while incarcerated was much higher than that of persons who did not complete any educational programs. This information is important because it represents employment with a stable employer, payment of State and Federal taxes and receipt of credits for quarters of employment through the Social Security Administration. Tables, references