Adult Correctional Education Programs

Abstract

In an effort to contribute to our knowledge of “what works” in correctional practices, this project evaluates the empirical research on adult educational programs and recidivism from the mid-1990s to the present. The studies are summarized, integrated, and rated according to the University of Maryland Scale for Scientific Rigor. We conclude that the participants in education programs such as Adult Basic Education, General Equivalency Degrees, and secondary education are less likely to recidivate, and, therefore, these programs meet the standards of what works. Similarly, recent studies of vocational education and postsecondary demonstrate sufficient decreases in recidivism to declare they are what works programming. However, there is insufficient evidence of the effectiveness of life skills programs. Thus, the ability of these programs to decrease recidivism remains in the category of “what is unknown.”