abstract: 'Prior research shows employment is an important component of desistance,

  but there is mixed evidence regarding the effectiveness of prison-based

  education programs. Therefore, this study examines whether participation

  in vocational education programs while incarcerated improves recidivism

  and post-release employment outcomes. In addition, the study controls

  for the timing of release to examine whether recidivism and employment

  outcomes varied during the COVID-19 pandemic. Observable selection bias

  was reduced by using propensity score matching to create similar

  treatment and comparison groups. After matching, there were no

  differences in any outcome between those who obtained vocational

  certificates and the comparison group. The results demonstrate the

  importance of accounting for selection bias in evaluations of education

  and employment programs. It is recommended that career-focused

  educational programs incorporate the risk-needs-responsivity model and

  the continuum of care principle, build relationships with community

  employers, and assist with practical barriers to employment.'
affiliation: 'McNeeley, S (Corresponding Author), Minnesota Dept Correct, 1450 Energy
  Pk Dr,Suite 200, St Paul, MN 55108 USA.

  McNeeley, Susan, Minnesota Dept Correct, St Paul, MN USA.

  McNeeley, Susan, Minnesota Dept Correct, 1450 Energy Pk Dr,Suite 200, St Paul, MN
  55108 USA.'
author: McNeeley, Susan
author-email: susan.mcneeley@state.mn.us
author_list:
- family: McNeeley
  given: Susan
da: '2023-09-28'
doi: 10.1177/0306624X231159886
earlyaccessdate: MAR 2023
eissn: 1552-6933
files: []
issn: 0306-624X
journal: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OFFENDER THERAPY AND COMPARATIVE CRIMINOLOGY
keywords: 'prison programming; vocational programs; recidivism; post-release

  employment; reentry'
keywords-plus: REENTRY; WORK; RISK; OFFENDERS; CRIME; RELEVANT; MODEL; NEEDS
language: English
month: 2023 MAR 14
number-of-cited-references: '66'
papis_id: 78ba9e89c97db3dcfe19a4cc8ab81a91
ref: Mcneeley2023effectsvocational
times-cited: '1'
title: The Effects of Vocational Education on Recidivism and Employment Among Individuals
  Released Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic
type: article
unique-id: WOS:000949883300001
usage-count-last-180-days: '4'
usage-count-since-2013: '4'
web-of-science-categories: Criminology \& Penology; Psychology, Applied
year: '2023'