Analysis of the Impact of
Florida's Inmate Programs Upon Recidivism
January 2001
Michael W. Moore, Secretary
Read it on the Web: http://www.dc.state.fl.us/pub/recidivismprog/index.html
Executive Summary
This study examined the effectiveness of the Department's
academic, vocational, and substance abuse programs in reducing inmate
recidivism after release.
Analysis was based on 18,414 inmates released from prison
in FY1996-97. This includes inmates completing their sentences, and those
moving onto community supervision based on split sentences or post-prison
release conditions. Using this cohort allows for a 24-month follow-up
period for new offense commission and additional time for processing
through the judicial system (i.e. from arrest to admission).
The analysis focused on the impact of program completion -
GED, vocational certificates, and Tier II-V substance abuse programs. We
also examined the impact of programs controlling for inmate gender, age,
race, prior commitments and other significant predictors of recidivism.
Finally, we examined the impact of programs when offenders also achieve
improvements in academic skills, work experience, and good disciplinary
records while incarcerated.
The program impact is illustrated by showing success
rates (the percent who do not recidivate), the percentage
difference between completers and non-completers, and the percent
improvement (the difference between completers and non-completers
divided by non-completers).
Highlights
Inmates who complete programs are more successful after release than those
who do not complete programs.
Academic Programs (GED):
Inmates who earn a GED are 8.7% less likely to recidivate than those who do
not complete a program.
Over seventy percent of GED completers are successful after release.
Academic program impacts are found even among offender groups that normally
have higher recidivism. Ex. Males, younger males, black offenders and prior
recidivists.
Among those receiving GEDs, success is enhanced when offenders also display
improved behavioral skills and acquire work experience.
Inmates who receive a GED and improve their TABE score to 9th grade level or
higher are 25.0% less likely to recidivate than those who receive a GED and
have a TABE level of 8th grade or less.
Inmates who receive a GED and participate in work release for 60 days or
more are 10.1% less likely to recidivate than those who receive a GED and
have no work experience.
Vocational Programs:
Inmates who earn a vocational certificate are 14.6% less likely to
recidivate than those who do not complete a program.
Nearly three-quarters of vocational program completers are successful after
release.
Vocational program impacts are found even among offender groups that
normally have higher recidivism. Ex. Males, younger males, black offenders,
prior recidivists and special education inmates.
Among those receiving vocational certificates, success is enhanced when
offenders also display improved behavioral skills and acquire work
experience.
Inmates who receive a vocational certificate and improve their TABE score to
9th grade level or higher are 22.6% less likely to recidivate than those who
receive a vocational certificate and have a TABE level of 8th grade or less.
Inmates who receive a vocational certificate and participate in a PRIDE or
PIE program for at least 60 days are 5.3% less likely to recidivate than
those who receive a certificate and have no PRIDE/PIE experience.
Substance Abuse Programs:
Inmates who complete substance abuse programs are 6.2% less likely to
recidivate than those who do not complete a program.
Over two-thirds of substance abuse program completers are successful after
release.
Substance abuse impacts are found even among offender groups that normally
have higher recidivism. Ex. Males, younger males, black offenders, prior
recidivists and special education inmates.
Inmates with precursor offenses (those which indicate a history of criminal
behavior related to substance abuse/dependence) who complete a substance
abuse program are 13.2% less likely to recidivate than those with precursor
offenses who do not complete a substance abuse program.
Inmates who complete a substance abuse program and participate in a work
release program for at least 60 days are 5.9% less likely to recidivate than
those who complete a program and have no work experience.
Cost Avoidance*
Academic Programs (GED):
The recidivism rate for the 1,788 inmates who received a GED was 29.8%
compared to 35.4% for those who did not complete a program. This reduction
in recidivism (5.6%) translates into approximately 100 inmates not returning
to prison. Avoiding the cost of their re-incarceration for one year would
amount to cost savings of approximately $1.9 million.
Vocational Programs:
The recidivism rate for the 1,793 inmates who earned a vocational
certificate was 26.0% compared to 35.4% for those who did not complete a
program. This reduction in recidivism (9.4%) translates into approximately
169 inmates not returning to prison. Avoiding the cost of their
re-incarceration for one year would amount to cost savings of approximately
$3.2 million.
Substance Abuse Programs:
The recidivism rate for the 3,129 inmates who completed a substance abuse
program was 31.4% compared to 35.4% for those who did not complete a
program. This reduction in recidivism (4.0%) translates into approximately
125 inmates not returning to prison. Avoiding the cost of their
re-incarceration for one year would amount to cost savings of approximately
$2.4 million.
* Based on a formula developed by the Office of Program
Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (Report Number 00-23, page
48), cost avoidance is derived by multiplying the number of inmates who
complete a program by the reduction in recidivism percentage (difference in
completers and non-completers) and multiplying this number by an annual
incarceration rate of $19,000 per inmate.
Transition Programs
Preliminary studies utilizing a one-year recidivism measure indicate that
participation in transitional programs greatly increases inmate success
after release from prison. For this analysis, transitional programs included
participation in Project Re-connect, the Daytona Beach Community College
Project Re-connect program, transitional housing program and completion of
the 100-hour transitional course offered in select institutions.
Using a one-year recidivism measure has historically proven to mask the
true success of programs (there is a marked failure among non-program
participants between the first and second year). Therefore, it is
recommended that a follow-up study be designed to evaluate the data after it
has had a chance to mature. In addition, this will allow for gaps in the
transitional data to be filled in. The result will be a more comprehensive
study being conducted by categorizing services received and allowing for the
normal fall-out seen after the first year follow-up.
