The Effect of Earning a GED on Recidivism Rates.
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- Nuttall, John; Hollmen, Linda; Staley, E. Michele
- Source
- Journal of Correctional Education; September 2003, Vol. 54 Issue 3, p90-94, 5p
- Subject
- High school equivalency certificates
Recidivism
Education of prisoners
New York (State). Dept. of Correctional Services
New York (State)
United States
- Language
- ISSN
- 07402708
This study presents data comparing recidivism rates of inmates who earned their GED (General Equivalency Diploma) while incarcerated in the New York State Department of Correctional Services (DOCS) with inmates who were released from the Department with no degree. Previous research has suggested that correctional education has a positive effect on recidivism rates of offenders. This study compares the recidivism rate of inmates who earned a GED while incarcerated with two other groups: 1) inmates who already had a high school diploma or GED upon their admission to the Department, and 2) inmates who failed to earn a GED while incarcerated. Additionally, this comparison is made for inmates who were under age 21 at the time of their release and for those who were 21 or older at the time of their release. The findings indicate that those inmates who earned a GED while incarcerated returned to custody within three years at a significantly lower rate than offenders who did not earn a GED while incarcerated. The relationship between GED attainment and return-to-custody is particularly strong among offenders who were under age 21 at release. Reprinted by permission of the publisher.