The Relationship of Higher Education Programs on Recidivism Delivered Through a North Carolina Community College in a Correctional Setting

Abstract

The purpose of the research has been to examine the relationship between the delivery of two post-secondary educational programs on recidivism in a correctional environment. The research involved the examination of the population of participants in two diploma programs, including graduates, and whether return to prison transpired. In regard to the former, time until reincarceration was considered concerning the statistical analyses of the data associated with the hypotheses proposed involved with the presumptive effect of the educational treatment. The research questions regarded an analysis of statistical differences between recidivism percentages and participation in these programs. The results indicated that compared with the overall recidivism rate of 65%, 33% of non-completers and 15% of graduates returned to prison. It was concluded that both non-completers and graduates of the programs were less likely than the general inmate population to recidivate.