NCJ Number
84428
Date Published
1977
Length
147 pages
Annotation
A follow-up of ex-offenders five to six nomths after release from prison was conducted to determine the extent to which those who had participated in educational programs prior to release benefited differentially with respect to employment and social adjustment, as compared with those who had not participated in such programs.
Abstract
Data were gathered no both a pre- and post-release basis for a large number of variables via institutional records, personal interviews, test administrations and rating forms. One hundred thirty-three inmates were traced after release and interviewed five to six months later to determine their employment status and social adjustment. Participants in educational programs were classified as follows: adult basic education or general educational development (45 persons); vocational education (35); postsecondary education (13); no enrollment (35); and unclassified (5 persons). Among the variables studied were: employment status, employment adjustment, general social adjustment, and absconding/recidivism. Ex-offenders enrolled in post-secondary education programs were found to have violated parole and/or been arrested significantly fewer times than were those in the no-enrollment control group. Except for this finding, no overall consistent pattern of significant differences were observed among any of the groups. Implications are drawn for a re-examination of the goals of educational programs at state correctional institutions. A number of questionnaires and interview forms are appended. (Author/CTM) (Resources in Education (ERIC) abstract)