Educational Opportunities Within Correctional Institutions: Does Facility Type Matter?

Prior research suggests that educational opportunities during incarceration can help prepare one for reentry into the community and are effective in reducing recidivism. This article evaluates the differences between education programs offered at two Maryland State Correctional Facilities. Inmates serving a “six and out” sentence were randomly assigned to either the Herman L. Toulson Boot Camp or a traditional facility, Metropolitan Transition Center. Both facilities were to provide the same educational opportunities to inmates. The differences between the education provided at these facilities and the impact of these programs on the inmates' ability to obtain a General Equivalency Diploma while incarcerated are evaluated. Findings suggest that inmates have better access to education and are more successful at educational achievement in the small therapeutic environment provided at the boot camp. If replicated, the findings would support policies for increasing resources for educational programming at traditional facilities and design/implementation guidelines for successful therapeutic facilities.