Program Title:
KEYS TO SUCCESSFUL LIFE CHOICES
Theme:
Assisting pre-release offenders for re-integration into community life.
The Challenge:
Oklahoma ranks first in the nation in the number of women per capita incarcerated in correctional facilities and third for men. The average annual cost of incarceration of an offender in a minimum-security facility is $12,740 and over $15,000 for incarceration in a medium-security facility. Upon release many male and female offenders encounter employment difficulties and lack basic living skills that provide a successful transition to living in a community.
Extension's Response:
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service implemented and evaluated basic skills in resource management education program in 22 Department of Corrections minimum-security and medium-security facilities throughout Oklahoma. A two-day training session on program implementation has been provided for 221 caseworkers and counselors of Oklahoma Department of Corrections. Individuals who received the in-service education training delivered the program to pre-release minimum and medium-security offenders.
Outcome:
Impact results of the statewide program measured by pre- and post-knowledge level surveys showed significant increase in knowledge mean scores. For the current year data from 776 offenders have been entered and analyzed. This analyses reflects that the knowledge gain was significant between pre and post survey administration with a mean difference of 7.76, p < .001. Offenders gained knowledge in 14 of 20 areas assessed including: appropriate job references, answering job interview questions, salary, home insurance, housing costs, car insurance, and proof of identity, contracts, rent-to-own interest rates, payroll deductions, handling work issues, community resources, credit reports, consumer rights, and public housing.
Impact:
The cost to deliver the program is $63 per offender. One can estimate with a reduction of recidivism DOC will save $12,677 ($12,740 - $63) for each offender not returning to Department of Corrections confinement.
Collaborating organizations, agencies, and teaching, research, extension partnerships:
Oklahoma Department of Corrections, Workforce Oklahoma, and Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Central Oklahoma
Date Posted:
January 23, 2001
Contact:
Sissy Osteen, Ph.D.
Assistant Specialist
Cooperative Extension
Family & Consumer Sciences
104 HES, OSU
Stillwater, OK 74078-6111Voice: 405.744.6282
Fax: 405.744.5506
Email: osteen@okstate.edu
Web: http://fcs.okstate.edu/money
