NCJ Number
80710
Date Published
1981
Length
329 pages
Annotation
This evaluation report assessed the effects of an experimental prison industry program in Minnesota, modeled after the business principles of the private sector (the Free Venture model), on participating inmate employees and on the facilities where they were incarcerated.
Abstract
The evaluation project was carried out in two phases, the first examining the initial 2 years of Free Venture in Minnesota (1976 and 1977) and the second the subsequent 2 years (1978 and 1979). In phase one, individuals who had spent a minimum of 10 consecutive work days in a Free Venture operation were compared with those who were assigned to positions in non-Free Venture industry (traditional industry) or to support service jobs within the institutions. Thus, three groups were constituted -- an experimental (Free Venture) group and two control groups. The second phase expanded the focus of the evaluation to cover the entire length of the prison sentence. Overall, the two phase project examined the backgrounds, institutional activities and, when possible, the postrelease success of more than 400 Free Venture workers and over 600 controls in the 4 major facilities in the State for adult male and female felons. The individuals involved in Free Venture were found to differ from others in terms of various demographic variables including their past employment records and criminal histories, differences which probably reflect the consequences of self-selection as well as the hiring practices of the Free Venture shops. While the higher wages of Free Venture workers allowed them to send more money home, to pay taxes and in certain cases, chargebacks for room and board, and to accumulate greater savings for their release, there was little evidence that their involvement produced other changes in their institutional behavior. Further, there was minimal support for the view that Free Venture produces reduced recidivism, although the data did point to an association between Free Venture experience and postrelease employment. Numerous tables and over 50 references are included. Appendixes present data collection forms, interview questions, memos, interim reports, and additional data. (Author abstract modified)