Educational Programs and Recidivism in Oklahoma: Another Look

• NCJ Number: 196602
• Journal: Prison Journal Volume: 82 Issue: 3 Dated: September 2002 Pages: 314-334
• Author(s): Dennis R. Brewster; Susan F. Sharp
• Editor(s): Rosemary L. Gido
• Date Published: September 2002
• Length: 21 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study was undertaken in Oklahoma to determine whether education was an effective tool in reducing recidivism rates.

Abstract

In this study incarceration was chosen as the measure of recidivism, and the study measured the degree to which education in Oklahoma increased the time that an offender remained out of the system. Data used in this study, provided by the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, comprised of 11,813 cases of offenders, released from January 1, 1991, through December 31, 1994, with information on recidivism being available through July 1997. The dependent variable was the number of months that offenders stayed out of prison, and independent variables included a secondary education, a vocational education, and the sex of participants. Control variables were used to ensure that demographic, offense, and release variables were held constant. Tables include frequency distributions of demographic, control, and independent variables; GED models on survival in months (Cox regression coefficients); survival in months by Oklahoma Department of Corrections (GED model); vocational-technical models on survival in months (Cox regression coefficients); and survival in months by Oklahoma Department of Corrections (vocational-technical model). In conclusion, it is recommended that further research is needed to explore specific differences in VO-TECH programs, including gender differences, by assessing what programs work in what sets of circumstances. Findings include the suggestion that education may not always be linked to reduced recidivism. Specifically, it was found that completion of a general equivalency diploma program was strongly associated with longer survival, or post release, times outside of prison, particularly for women, while completion of vocational training was linked to shorter survival times for both men and women. In conclusion, it is recommended that there is a need to further evaluate the types of training offered in the prisons. Tables, figures, notes, and references