A meta-analysis of corrections-based education, vocation, and work programs for adult offenders
Abstract
Corrections-based education, vocation, and work programs are a major rehabilitative component of our correctional system. Recent reviews of the research literature raise doubt about the effectiveness of these programs in reducing recidivism. This study meta-analyzed the recidivism outcomes of 33 independent experimental and quasi-experimental evaluations of education, vocation, and work programs and found that program participants recidivate at a lower rate than nonparticipants. The generally weak methodological character of these studies, however, prevents attributing this observed effect on criminal behavior to the activities of the programs. Future evaluative research in this area could be strengthened through the incorporation of theoretical links between the program activities and future criminal involvement and through designs that control for self-selection bias beyond basic demographic differences.
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Wilson et al. (2000) and Davis et al. (2013) conclude that evidence suggests participation decreases recidivism and increases employment, but research designs are too poor to provide reliable estimates.
“In their meta-analysis of correctional rehabilitation programs for adult offenders, Wilson et al. (2000) and Davis et al. (2013) both conclude that, while evidence suggests that participation decreases recidivism and increases employment, the research designs are deemed too poor to provide reliable estimates of their impact.”
From Prison Rehabilitation Programs: Efficiency and Targeting (2021) · cites this paper as Wilson et al. (2000)
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Prison Rehabilitation Programs: Efficiency and Targeting
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- Authors
- WILSON, D. B., GALLAGHER, C. A., & MacKENZIE, D. L.
- Affiliations
- University of Maryland, College Park (US)
- ORCID
- WILSON, DAVID B.
- Venue
- Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2000-11
- Volume
- 37
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 347-368
- ISSN
- 0022-4278 (ISSN-L)
- 1552-731X
- OpenAlex
- W2102228452
- Cited by
- 462
- References
- 4
- Citations by year
- 2026: 10 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 35 · 2021: 23 · 2020: 18 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 32 · 2016: 22 · 2015: 26 · 2014: 20 · 2013: 27 · 2012: 23
- FWCI
- 5.20
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Crime Patterns and Interventions
- Social Sciences › Law › Criminal Justice and Penology
- Keywords
- vocational rehabilitation, adult offenders, recidivism, prisoner rehabilitation, program effectiveness, self-selection bias, penal system
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