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

Corrections Rehabilitative Programs Effective, But Serve Only a Portion of the Eligible Population

Report 07-14, February 2007

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Report Summary

  • The department's rehabilitative programs serve only a small portion of inmates who are identified with educational deficits or eligible for substance abuse treatments.
  • Inmates who complete the GED, vocational training, and substance abuse treatment programs generally have successful outcomes in terms of program completion and lower recidivism. However, 90% of inmates who are enrolled in adult basic education do not successfully complete the program, often for reasons within the department's control.
  • Completing some educational and other rehabilitative programs translates into post-release success and may produce cost savings. In addition, rehabilitative programs reduce inmate idleness and promote institutional security.
  • While the department's sex offender treatment program is consistent with national standards, the program is voluntary, serves relatively few inmates, and allocation of treatment is not based on a validated risk assessment instrument.

Related Reports
  1. Department of Corrections Should Maximize Use of Best Practices in Inmate Rehabilitation Efforts
    Report 09-44 December 2009
  2. Corrections' Contraband Effort Is Sound; Cell Phone Penalties and Warden Consistency Are Needed
    Report 08-20 April 2008
  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, inmates, rehabilitative programs, correctional education, substance abuse, abuse treatment, post-release outcomes, recidivism, vocational education, therapeutic community, sex offender treatment, risk assessment, sexual disorder, adult basic education, inmate idleness, substance abuse, substance abuse treatment, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, prison treatment programs, residential therapeutic community, outpatient treatment, work release center, inmate idleness, prison planning, prison construction, fleet maintenance, correctional officer training, inmate education, 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, monitorin