Evaluation Prison Programs Designed To Increase the Employability of Federal Offenders - A Review of the Literature - Vocational Training Evaluation - Project Report One

• NCJ Number: 89619
• Author(s): J L Beck
• Date Published: Unknown
• Length: 14 pages
• Corporate Author: Federal Bureau of Prisons
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This review of evaluation research pertaining to Federal programs designed to increase the employability of offenders focuses on the quality of the instruction, offender perceptions of the programs, psychological impact on offenders, and postrelease outcome.

Abstract

There are four basic approaches by which the Federal Prison System attempts to increase the employability of offenders: (1) programs teaching a specific job skill, (2) programs teaching general skills necessary for employment, (3) programs to motivate offenders and improve work habits, and (4) community-based programs (e.g., work release and a community treatment center). Evaluations of these Federal programs have shown mixed results as they have focused on the quality of instruction, offender perceptions of the programs, psychological impact on offenders, and postrelease outcome. Research thus far has shown the general dedication of prison personnel involved in training or education, and many inmates report a high regard for the programs. A recurring criticism, however, has been that the work situation in prison and the skills taught are irrelevant to employment after release. Also, many researchers observed little coordination between the various programs an inmate might be involved in. Although data indicate that some prison programs improve the postrelease employment records of offenders, few, if any, programs reduce recidivism. The evaluations to date have been too narrow in measuring the impact of the programs, since one major goal of the programs is to provide services useful to the institution, such as food preparation sanitation, and building maintenance, and prison industries may generate revenue. The programs also promote institutional order and a humane environment by eliminating idleness and reducing inmate hostility. These effects can provide justification for prison programs apart from their effectiveness in training offenders and reducing recidivism. Twenty-nine references are provided.