Experimental Assessment of the Effect of Vocational Training on Youthful Property Offenders

• NCJ Number: 133368
• Journal: Evaluation Review Volume: 14 Issue: 2 Dated: (April 1990) Pages: 115-133
• Author(s): P K Lattimore; A D Witte; J R Baker
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 19 pages
• Grant Number(s): 85-IJ-CX0061
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)

Annotation

The implementation and effectiveness of Sandhills Vocational Delivery System (VDS) program as offered at two North Carolina prisons to male inmates ages 18 to 24 were studied.

Abstract

The results indicate that vocational training programs have shown little significant effect on the behavior of offenders because they are almost always weak and poorly implemented. In this experiment, only 16 percent of the group participated in all aspects of the VDS, despite substantial support from correctional management. Inmates were more likely to participate in early aspects of the program which included a 3-week evaluation of vocational interests and aptitudes than in the later stages which included working with the Employment Security Commission to find a job. However, even with weak implementation, the experimental group had a significantly lower recidivism rate than the control group. 4 tables, 2 figures, 16 notes, and 19 references