Document Type

Thesis

Date of Degree Completion

Spring 2023

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Law and Justice

Committee Chair

Dr. Sara Toto

Second Committee Member

Dr. Bernadette Jungblut

Abstract

In the last three decades, there has been a growing interest in correctional education programming and its effects on the recidivism rates of offenders. Research has concluded that programs such as general education equivalency (GED), college credit, and trade/vocational skill-building work to reduce recidivism rates among offenders. Although current research is widely accepted among scholars, several questions remain. 1) How is recidivism defined, and how does the definition change the rates? 2) How are researchers addressing selection bias in their study, and what impact does this have on their findings? 3) How are inmates with learning disabilities and language barriers addressed in research? All these questions can be answered with a systematic review of selected studies. By understanding some of these issues with correctional education programming research, future studies can build on a firmer foundation that acknowledges room for errors and actively attempts to limit potential errors. This study highlights and offers solutions for issues in current correctional education programming.

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