A recent American study found interesting differences between inmates who participated in prison education programs and those who did not. Specifically, inmates who participated tended to be older and unmarried and to be serving a sentence of more than five years.

A sample of 230 inmates at the Eastern New York Correctional Facility was divided into two groups for comparison purposes. The first group consisted of inmates who were currently enroled in an adult basic education or general equivalency diploma (GED) program or who had earned their GED while in the institution. The second group consisted of inmates who had not earned a GED and were not attending school.

A group questionnaire was administered by inmate interviewers, who read it aloud to ensure understanding. The two study groups were compared on demographic characteristics, number of previous sentences served, length of time left to serve on the present sentence, length of time to serve before a parole board hearing, institutional disciplinary record, participation in other institutional programs, social support network, and attitudes toward higher education and employment.

The study sample was representative of the institutional inmate population and state inmate population on such characteristics as age, race, marital status, and religion.

Of the 230 respondents who had entered the institution without a GED or high-school diploma, 64% had received their GED since their entry into the institution, 5% were currently enroled in primary or secondary school classes, and the remaining 31% did not have a GED and were not enroled in classes. For the purpose of the study, those who had achieved their GED in the institution and those who were currently enroled in classes were combined to form the group of "inmates who attend school" (N=159). Those who did not have their GED and were not enroled in classes formed the control group of "inmates who do not attend school" (N=71).

As shown in the figure, those who attended school were significantly more likely to be older, unmarried and childless, to have been incarcerated for more than five years (including time served for previous sentences), to have participated in the Alternatives to Violence Program (a non-academic program) at the institution, to have support from their friends, and to consider family support important.