The effects of the timing and dosage of correctional programming on recidivism

ABSTRACT

This study examined the effects of program timing and duration on recidivism outcomes among 1,879 offenders released from Minnesota prisons in 2005. The point at which prisoners entered programming did not have a significant effect on recidivism. Earlier involvement in interventions, however, significantly increased programming dosage, which was, in turn, associated with better recidivism outcomes. Significant findings were observed for the point at which prisoners exited programming, particularly in relation to the overall length of their imprisonment. In general, recidivism was significantly lower when prisoners exited programming closer to their release from prison.

KEYWORDS:

• Prison
• program dosage
• program timing
• recidivism

Notes

Programming data for the SOAR program were not recorded within COMS. Instead, SOAR program data were maintained by the MnDOC’s research and evaluation unit.

Additional information

Funding

This project was supported by Grant No. 2015-R2-CX-K028 awarded by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The analysis and conclusions presented here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of the Bureau of Justice Statistics or the U.S. Department of Justice.