Education Reduces Crime: Three-State Recidivism Study

Source:

United States. Correctional Education Association. Office of CorrectionalEducation. Education Reduces Crime: Three-State Recidivism Study. By Stephen J. Steurer and Linda G. Smith. ERIC,Feb. 2003. Web. Mar.-Apr. 2015.

Summary:

This is an executive editorial on a study conducted by Dr. Stephen J. Steurer, Dr. Linda Smith and Dr. Alice Tracy of the Correctional Education Association. This study was presented to the Office of Correctional Education in the United States Department of Education as a collection of data and conclusions pertaining to the effects of education while incarcerated on recidivism. This study is a very thorough collection of data from three American states (Michigan, Ohio and Maryland). These results conclude that education in correctional facilities has a positive effect on lowering recidivism rates.

Quality:

The use of scientific method in this study is a very solid means of proving their hypothesis. Throughout this study the use of compiled data and statistical analysis allows for a very strong presentation of facts. Their conclusion is backed up by many other studies conducted within the same parameters (Smith, Akers). With very little use of opinion these researchers are able to clearly convey their hypothesis that additional education while incarcerated will lower recidivism rates.      

Issues:

I have very few issues with the strength of this study. The researchers use clear data to define topics before elaborating into conclusions. 

Quotes:

“Education provides a real payoff to the public in terms of crime reduction and improved employment of ex-offenders. Investments in correctional education programs have been confirmed as a wise and informed public policy”.

“While it is difficult to ascertain which kinds of education programs are most effective, overall investment in education for the incarcerated seems wise”.

Key Words and Phrases:

Recidivism, Correctional Education, Program Effectiveness, State Surveys, Comparative Analysis, Vocational Rehabilitation, Correctional Rehabilitation, Multivariate Analysis, Multitrait Multimethod Techniques, Matched Groups, Research Reports, Employment Programs

Source link:

http://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED498671  (Summary)

http://www.ceanational.org/PDFs/3StateFinal.pdf   (Full study)

Works Cited:

Smith, L. G., and Akers, R. L. "A Comparison of Recidivism of Florida's Community Control and Prison: A Five-Year Survival    Analysis." Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency 30.3 (1993): 267-92. Web.