Associations Between Prison Recidivism and Working and Educational Experiences During Deprivation of Liberty

Abstract

This essay investigates the impact of inmates’ work and educational programs on recidivism rates over nearly five years for prisoners released from Santa Catarina prisons. Three methods were used to analyze recidivism and to control for self-selection bias and non-observable heterogeneity: propensity score matching, Cox, and frailty models. The frailty model showed that participation in work and educational programs reduced the odds of recidivism by 14% and 32%, respectively. This study suggests that programs are being carried out in Santa Catarina that may effectively impact prisoners’ rehabilitation.

Keywords

• Recidivism
• Rehabilitation
• Santa Catarina
• Propensity Score Matching
• Frailty Model