Mark Ellison|Kirstine Szifris|Rachel Horan|Chris Fox
A Rapid Evidence Assessment of the effectiveness of prison education in reducing recidivism and increasing employment
Manchester Metropolitan University|Manchester Metropolitan University|Manchester Metropolitan University
rapid evidence assessment rea educational programmes delivered within prison included review evaluations vocational academic basic skills accredited unaccredited educational provision prison recidivism andor employment measured outcomes initial searches returned 4304 titles abstracts 28 papers met criteria inclusion 18 papers provided sufficient information robust enough research design included metaanalysis metaanalysis 18 reoffending studies identified delivering education prison settings positive impact recidivism overall pooled odds ratio indicates reduction likelihood recidivating approximately onethird 064 6423 metaanalysis five employment studies identified education prison settings positive impact employment overall odds ratios indicated 24 per cent increase likelihood gaining employment prisoner engages prison education however based small number papers statistical findings less robust evidence drawn largely usa