It is frequently asserted that the rate of recidivism is an inadequate test of the effectiveness of correctional education, that recidivism is only one measure of effectiveness. Further-more, other factors may confound the effects of education; that is, we may be "doomed" from the outset to find no positive effect on recidivism rates.

While the Research and Statistics Branch recognizes the complex and controversial issues surrounding the measurement of program impact in corrections, we thought it worthwhile to highlight our review of research on the effect of basic education on the recidivism of adult male offenders. Our findings suggest that basic education has a positive impact on recidivism.

From approximately 30 studies on the relationship between educational programming in prisons and recidivism among offenders, our analysis examined seven, which deal specifically with basic education among adult male offenders.

The table presents a brief description of the types of studies completed and their results. It should be noted that all seven studies examined in our analysis used relatively sound methodologies. Sample sizes ranged from 75 offenders to more than 3,000, and the follow-up period for examining recidivism was also substantial (the shortest period being approximately two years). More importantly, we observed that the studies with the soundest methodologies yielded the most positive findings.