Using Randomized Controlled Trials to Evaluate Interventions for Releasing Prisoners

Pettus-Davis, Carrie; Howard, Matthew O.; Dunnigan, Allison; Scheyett, Anna; Roberts-Lewis, Amelia

doi:10.1177/1049731515579203

Cited by 9 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…None of the studies employed randomization as part of their study design. Due to the complexities inherent to the study of offender learning in prison, there is limited opportunity to conduct randomized control trials (RCT) in a prison setting (Pettus-Davis et al, 2016). RCT levels of study of offender learning in prison are infrequent as a result.…”

Section: Data Collection and Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

A Rapid Evidence Assessment of the effectiveness of prison education in reducing recidivism and increasing employment

Ellison

Szifris

Horan³

et al. 2017

Probation Journal

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This is a Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA) of educational programmes delivered within prison. Included in this review are evaluations of vocational, academic, basic skills, accredited and unaccredited educational provision in prison where recidivism and/or employment were measured as outcomes. Initial searches returned 4,304 titles and abstracts. Of these, 28 papers met the criteria for inclusion. Only 18 papers provided sufficient information and robust enough research design to be included in the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis on 18 reoffending studies identified that delivering education in prison settings has a positive impact on recidivism. Overall, the pooled odds ratio indicates a reduction in the likelihood of recidivating of approximately one third (0.64=64%~2/3).Meta-analysis on five employment studies identified that education in prison settings has a positive impact on employment. Overall, odds ratios indicated a 24 percent increase in likelihood of gaining employment if the prisoner engages in prison education. However, this is based on a small number of papers with statistical findings being less robust and evidence drawn largely from the USA. evidence in a reasonably timely manner. However, the trade-offs include the potential loss of some relevant studies, particularly unpublished ones. All papers included in this report discuss prison education and its impact on rates of recisidivsm and employment. The nature and types of education that are discussed vary with the majority of studies failing to provide information around the specifics types of courses. Nearly all of the papers are from the United States with only one coming from the UK. This means most papers discuss either basic education, GED (General Education Diploma) qualifications or 'post-secondary' education without providing details of subject content, delivery, or duration. There are some exceptions to this, most notably Dugiud and Pawson's (1998) work around liberal arts education in Canadian prisons provides details around the educational content. However, this level of detail was not replicated elsewhere. Most of the studies also do not provide information regarding race, gender, sentence length, or criminal conviction of the participants. This report provides background information regarding the role of education in prisons and the current policy climate in the UK. Section 3 describes how the reviewers have interpreted the terms 'prison education' and defined the research questions. Section 4 provides an account of how papers were selected for inclusion and the methods of data extraction used. Section 5 presents two sets of findings. The first set is a descriptive account of the 28 papers that relate to the link between education in prison and post-release outcomes. The second set focuses on the 18 papers that were found to be suitable for a meta-analysis. The report concludes with a discussion of the key findings. 2. BACKGROUND FOR THE REVIEW Recent and current policy All prisons in England and Wales provide education. Over the last 1...

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Section: Data Collection and Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

A Rapid Evidence Assessment of the effectiveness of prison education in reducing recidivism and increasing employment

Ellison

Szifris

Horan³

et al. 2017

Probation Journal

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“…Secure settings are complex environments in which to conduct trials46 and there is a dearth of trials within the CYPSE. In the context of this challenging environment, a decision will be taken as to whether feasibility and acceptability are adequate for a full multicentre randomised controlled trial.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

FACT: a randomised controlled trial to assess the feasibility of QbTest in the assessment process of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) for young people in prison—a feasibility trial protocol

et al. 2020

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IntroductionThe prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) within the Children and Young People Secure Estate (CYPSE) is much higher than seen in the general population. To make a diagnosis of ADHD, clinicians draw on information from multiple sources, including parents and teachers. However, obtaining these is particularly difficult for young people in the secure estate. There is increasing evidence in the community that QbTest is able to assist in the accurate and earlier diagnosis of ADHD. The objective of this study is to assess the feasibility and acceptability of QbTest in the assessment of ADHD within the CYPSE.Methods and analysisA single-centre parallel group feasibility randomised controlled trial will be conducted. Sixty young people within the CYPSE identified as displaying possible symptoms of ADHD will be randomised to the intervention arm (n=30; QbTest plus usual care) or control arm (n=30; usual care). Primary analyses will be descriptive and a process evaluation will be conducted to assess the contexts involved in implementing the intervention. Interviews will be conducted to explore acceptability and thematic analysis will be used to analyse the data.Ethics and disseminationThis study was approved by National Health Service Wales research ethics committee 3 (18/WA/0347) on 15 February 2019. The findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at relevant conferences and disseminated to the public via summaries cocreated with our patient and public involvement group.Trial registration numberISRCTN17402196

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“…Initially, the authors from the University of Michigan, Northwestern University, and the Michigan Department of Corrections collaborated on designing the initial protocol using the first author's prior HTI design evaluating VR-JIT in mental health settings [ 22 ] and from reviewing prior studies emphasizing lessons learned when conducting RCTs in prison settings [ 26 ]. From here, the protocol was reviewed and refined by an expert panel of researchers and stakeholders with expertise in criminal justice research and services who serve as the remaining coauthors (see 3.3).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhancing vocational training in corrections: A type 1 hybrid randomized controlled trial protocol for evaluating virtual reality job interview training among returning citizens preparing for community re-entry

Smith

Mitchell

Blajeski

et al. 2020

Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications

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The Michigan Department of Corrections operates the Vocational Villages, which are skilled trades training programs set within prisons that include an immersive educational community using virtual reality, robotics, and other technologies to develop employable trades. An enhancement to the Vocational Villages could be an evidence-based job interview training component. Recently, we conducted a series of randomized controlled trials funded by the National Institute of Mental Health to evaluate the efficacy of virtual reality job interview training (VR-JIT). The results suggested that the use of VR-JIT was associated with improved job interview skills and a greater likelihood of receiving job offers within 6 months. The primary goal of this study is to report on the protocol we developed to evaluate the effectiveness of VR-JIT at improving interview skills, increasing job offers, and reducing recidivism when delivered within two Vocational Villages via a randomized controlled trial and process evaluation. Our aims are to: (1) evaluate whether services-as-usual in combination with VR-JIT, compared to services-as-usual alone, enhances employment outcomes and reduces recidivism among returning citizens enrolled in the Vocational Villages; (2) evaluate mechanisms of employment outcomes and explore mechanisms of recidivism; and (3) conduct a multilevel, mixed-method process evaluation of VR-JIT implementation to assess the adoptability, acceptability, scalability, feasibility, and implementation costs of VR-JIT.

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Using Randomized Controlled Trials to Evaluate Interventions for Releasing Prisoners

Cited by 9 publications

References 12 publications

A Rapid Evidence Assessment of the effectiveness of prison education in reducing recidivism and increasing employment

A Rapid Evidence Assessment of the effectiveness of prison education in reducing recidivism and increasing employment

FACT: a randomised controlled trial to assess the feasibility of QbTest in the assessment process of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) for young people in prison—a feasibility trial protocol

Enhancing vocational training in corrections: A type 1 hybrid randomized controlled trial protocol for evaluating virtual reality job interview training among returning citizens preparing for community re-entry

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