NCJ Number
160050
Journal
Journal of Correctional Education Volume: 46 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1995) Pages: 20-24
Date Published
1995
Length
5 pages
Annotation
One hundred twenty Maryland prison inmates who had completed one or more correctional education programs during 1989-90 were followed for a year to determine the impact on their success in obtaining employment.
Abstract
Information was collected from their parole officers by means of telephone interviews. Results revealed that educational attainment while in prison was positively related to success in obtaining employment, the type of employment obtained, the hourly wages earned, and successful completion of community supervision. Seventy percent of those completing Adult Basic Education obtained employment, compared to 77 percent of those completing GED requirements, 79 percent of those completing vocational skill training, and 100 percent of those completing college. Inmates who completed a high school equivalency or college program tended to earn higher hourly wages than inmates completing an adult basic education or vocational program, although the differences were not major. Their earnings reflected the wages of recently released inmates and, for many, it may reflect their first job after release from prison. Educational attainment had a less pronounced impact on successful adjustment on parole or under mandatory supervision. The racial differences were major and disturbing; nonwhite education completers were substantially less likely than white completers to have obtained employment, and those who were employed had lower-skilled jobs and lower hourly wages. Findings indicated that correctional education programs, which cost approximately $2,500 per year, make a difference, especially when compared to the incarceration costs of nearly $19,000 per year. Tables and 13 references