Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

Progress Report: Corrections Education and Rehabilitative Programs Significantly Reduced

Report 04-59, August 2004




Report Summary

  • Education and drug treatment programs help reduce inmate recidivism and improve safety at correctional facilities by reducing inmate idleness, which is a contributing factor to violence and institutional disturbances.
  • Due to state revenue shortfalls, funding for education and rehabilitative programs has been reduced in recent years, and the department has eliminated many of its education, vocational, and substance abuse programs. As a result, many inmates identified as needing substance abuse programs are released without receiving treatment. Over half of inmates who did participate in programs did not complete them; one major reason for this was the termination of programs.
  • The Legislature has funded a 100-hour, transition life skills course for all released inmates, which can help reduce recidivism. However, as currently provided through video rather than by classroom instruction, the course may not achieve the same success in reducing crime.


Related Reports
  1. No Title
    Report 00-23
  2. Department of Corrections Should Maximize Use of Best Practices in Inmate Rehabilitation Efforts
    Report 09-44 December 2009
  3. Alternative Placements for the Correctional Education Program Would Be More Costly
    Report 08-16 March 2008
  4. Higher Priority Should Be Given to Transition Services to Reduce Inmate Recidivism
    Report 07-17 February 2007
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
criminal justice, probation, victims, inmate education, drug abuse, substance abuse, vocational education, rehabilitative programs, inmate transition, restitution, community corrections, absconders, juvenile justice, crime, corrections, diversion, high risk youth, The Florida Network, Outward Bound, PACE, Prevention, sexually violent predators, sex offenders, treatment, ryce act, martin, liberty, mentally ill, desoto, monitoring, evaluation, high risk youth, recidivism, grant monitoring, contract monitoring