WORK RELEASE AND RECIDIVISM: AN EMPIRICAL EVALUATION OF A SOCIAL POLICY (FROM EVALUATION STUDIES REVIEW ANNUAL, VOLUME 2, P 623-646, 1977, MARCIA GUTTENTAG AND SHALOM SAAR, EDS.)

• NCJ Number: 147731
• Author(s): G P Waldo; T G Chiricos
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 24 pages
• Sale Source: Sage Publications, Inc
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A classical experimental design using random assignment was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the work release program operated by the Florida Division of Corrections in terms of reducing recidivism among inmate participants.

Abstract

Between July and December 1969, 188 inmates were placed in a work release program while 93 controls in the correctional program in which they were already involved. There were little or no differences between the two groups in terms of arrest rates, bookings, convictions, or reincarcerations. There were almost identical levels of crime seriousness for the two groups, measured in terms of average severity of crime charged and severity of most serious crime charged. Simple participation in work release versus nonparticipation had almost no bearing upon either the occurrence or severity of postrelease recidivism. 5 tables, 2 notes, 35 references, and 1 appendix