The effects of prison-based educational programming on recidivism and employment
Abstract
This study evaluated the effectiveness of prison-based educational programming by examining the effects of obtaining secondary and post-secondary degrees on recidivism and post-release employment outcomes among offenders released from Minnesota prisons between 2007 and 2008. Obtaining a secondary degree in prison significantly increased the odds of securing post-release employment but did not have a significant effect on recidivism or other employment measures such as hourly wage, total hours worked, or total wages earned. Earning a post-secondary degree in prison, however, was associated with greater number of hours worked, higher overall wages, and less recidivism.
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Among nearly 700 adults in Minnesota who earned a post-secondary degree while incarcerated, the treatment group experienced fewer reincarcerations for a new sentence (14% to 18% in three years of follow-up; adjusted hazard ratio 0.76, p<0.001 in Cox survival models) compared with a matched similar population who did not earn a post-secondary degree.
“Here, the treatment group experienced fewer reincarcerations for a new sentence; 14% to 18% in three years of follow-up, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 0.76 (p<0.001) in Cox survival models.38”
From Community investment interventions as a means for decarceration: A scoping review (2022) · cites this paper as [38]
Two quasi-experimental propensity score matching studies found that receipt of a post-secondary degree during incarceration led to fewer re-incarcerations.
“Two studies which employed a quasi-experimental design using propensity score matching found that receipt of a post-secondary degree during incarceration led to fewer re-incarcerations.”
From Community investment interventions as a means for decarceration: A scoping review (2022) · cites this paper as [38]
Neither the Minnesota post-secondary degree study nor another study examining receipt of high school diploma or GED established an effect on reduced future criminal legal involvement.
“Interestingly, neither this study nor another examining the effect of receiving high school diploma or GED established an effect on reduced future criminal legal involvement.40”
From Community investment interventions as a means for decarceration: A scoping review (2022) · cites this paper as [38]
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References 26 · Cited by 132
- Authors
- Duwe, G., & Clark, V.
- Affiliations
- Minnesota Department of Corrections (US)
- Venue
- The Prison Journal
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2014-09-04
- Volume
- 94
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 454-478
- ISSN
- 0032-8855 (ISSN-L)
- 1552-7522
- OpenAlex
- W2154779012
- Cited by
- 132
- References
- 26
- Citations by year
- 2026: 10 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 20 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 1
- FWCI
- 26.06
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The Prison Journal (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis
- Social Sciences › Safety Research › Disability Education and Employment
- Social Sciences › Law › Criminal Justice and Penology
- Keywords
- prison education, recidivism, post-release employment, secondary education, postsecondary education, incarcerated offenders, prisoner reentry, wages
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