Comparative Study of the Effects of a College Employment and Training Program on Post-release Arrest, Conviction, and Sentence Outcomes for Ex-offenders

• NCJ Number: 80407
• Author(s): J L Jengeleski
• Date Published: 1981
• Length: 10 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Paper presented at the 36th Annual Correctional Education Association Conference, July 5-8, 1981, Costa Mesa, California.

Annotation

This study seeks to ascertain if participation in an ex-offender employment and training program had a significant effect on postrelease recidivism outcomes over a 2-year period.

Abstract

The experimental group consisted of 30 ex-offenders who were involved in the 'Ex-Cons Helping Youth' program administered through the Law/Justice Studies Department at Glassboro State College, N.J. These subjects and three control groups having similar felony criminal backgrounds were compared with respect to number of arrests, number of convictions, and number of sentences for a 2-year followup period after release. In all areas of arrest, conviction, and sentences, recidivism analysis of postrelease criminal activity was found to be lower for ex-offender participants in the training and employment program than for the ex-offender nonparticipant groups. These results are attributed to the program's functions and effects directly responsive to problems most frequently encountered by ex-offenders readjusting into society. The program was conducive to securing meaningful employment and being self-supportive, establishing realistic goals, gaining community acceptance, learning responsible decisionmaking, and developing adequate vocational skills. The voluntariness of the program was another positive feature. It is suggested that the study be replicated at 3-, 4-, and 5-year intervals to measure postrelease conduct after the final termination of the program. A total of 18 footnotes are supplied.