Event Title

The Impact of Educational Obtainment within the Prison Systems on Post-release Rates of Recidivism

Location

Hager-Lubbers Exhibition Hall

Description

PURPOSE: The purpose of this research was to evaluate the relationship between educational obtainment and inmate recidivism. Utilizing prior literature, the researcher sought to gain a more comprehensive understanding of educational programing in prison, while also examining the impact that the elimination of the federal Pell Grant for inmates had on educational obtainment, recidivism, and employability. The hypothesis was that post-secondary correctional education (PSCE) programs will result in significant positive changes for the inmate, correctional institutions, and society as a whole through decreasing recidivism. PROCEDURES: Data were gathered through the Grand Valley State University Library Database. Studies were analyzed based on certain criteria such as research design, sample size, and length. Of particular interest was the quasi-experimental, quantitative study by Nally, Lockwood, Knutson & Ho (2012) that evaluated the effects of correctional education programs on post-release recidivism. OUTCOME: Nally, et al.(2012) demonstrate in their research that the recidivism rate for inmates who participated in PSCE programming was lower, at 29.7 percent in comparison to 67.8 percent for the non-participant sample. Overall it was maintained that PSCE programs serve as an important mechanism in reducing recidivism. IMPACT: The intended impact of this study was to demonstrate that if given the necessary funding, support and resources, PSCE education programs have the potential to significantly decreasing recidivism. The results of the study encourage an opportunity to inform policy change that will allocate a portion of the federal Pell Grant back to qualified inmates, allowing increased access to PSCE programs.

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Apr 15th, 3:30 PM

The Impact of Educational Obtainment within the Prison Systems on Post-release Rates of Recidivism

Hager-Lubbers Exhibition Hall

PURPOSE: The purpose of this research was to evaluate the relationship between educational obtainment and inmate recidivism. Utilizing prior literature, the researcher sought to gain a more comprehensive understanding of educational programing in prison, while also examining the impact that the elimination of the federal Pell Grant for inmates had on educational obtainment, recidivism, and employability. The hypothesis was that post-secondary correctional education (PSCE) programs will result in significant positive changes for the inmate, correctional institutions, and society as a whole through decreasing recidivism. PROCEDURES: Data were gathered through the Grand Valley State University Library Database. Studies were analyzed based on certain criteria such as research design, sample size, and length. Of particular interest was the quasi-experimental, quantitative study by Nally, Lockwood, Knutson & Ho (2012) that evaluated the effects of correctional education programs on post-release recidivism. OUTCOME: Nally, et al.(2012) demonstrate in their research that the recidivism rate for inmates who participated in PSCE programming was lower, at 29.7 percent in comparison to 67.8 percent for the non-participant sample. Overall it was maintained that PSCE programs serve as an important mechanism in reducing recidivism. IMPACT: The intended impact of this study was to demonstrate that if given the necessary funding, support and resources, PSCE education programs have the potential to significantly decreasing recidivism. The results of the study encourage an opportunity to inform policy change that will allocate a portion of the federal Pell Grant back to qualified inmates, allowing increased access to PSCE programs.