NCJ Number
196918
Journal
Crime & Justice International Volume: 18 Issue: 61 Dated: April 2002 Pages: 9-10,31
Date Published
April 2002
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This study compared the recidivism rates of two Brazilian prisons, one of which is a faith-based facility while the other is based on vocational training and prison industry.
Abstract
The author compared the recidivism rates of offenders released from two Brazilian prisons, one being a faith-based model and one employing vocational training of inmates. The participants were followed for a period of 3 years, from 1996 to 1999, in order to ascertain which type of prison could boast a lower recidivism rate: the faith-based prison or the vocational training prison. The research team visited both prisons and compared case files and computer records on offenders. The variables under examination were: (1) type of offense, (2) dates of sentence, release, and re-arrest, and (3) recidivism. The researchers controlled for severity of first offense in order to control for those prisoners at highest risk for re-offending. Results of statistical analyses revealed that the faith-based prison had the lower recidivism rate, 16 percent compared to 36 percent for the vocational training prison. This was the case even though the faith-based prison housed more prisoners convicted of severe offenses. The author also notes that the recidivism rate for both prisons was very low compared to other prisons around the world. The author points out that Brazil has decided to use the vocational training prison as its model prison, with plans to institute more vocational training prisons around the country. 6 Notes