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Agency: Department of Correction |
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Start Date: November 2007 |
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CEO FY09 Budget: $300,000 |
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Program Type: Youth, Re-entry, Education |
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Number of Confirmed Arrivals (Served): 359 |
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Number of Literacy Gains: 49 |
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Number Passed Predictor Test: 41 |
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Number Passed GED Test: 14 |
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Number Enrolled in Vocational Training: 15 |
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Number Enrolled in College: 60 |
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CUNY Catch is one of three Model Education Programs that places young adults leaving the custody of the NYC Department of Correction into post-discharge programs. The initiative provides participants with GED preparation and assists in college enrollment.
When exiting detention and returning from incarceration, poor young adults aged 17 to 24 are at high risk of becoming or remaining disconnected from school and work. About 70% of offenders and ex-offenders are high school dropouts and, according to at least one study, about half are "functionally illiterate." Lack of educational skills contributes to the chronic unemployment experienced by young adults discharged back into the community. Without intervention, two-thirds of ex-offenders are likely to be re-arrested.
Lack of educational skills has been identified as a systemic problem for youth involved in the criminal justice system. A 2002 report by the Casey Foundation identified New York's CUNY Catch as a successful national model in establishing a pathway for GED completion and college admission. The program has also been recognized in a nation-wide study by the National Youth Employment Coalition and the Youth Development and Research Fund as one of the top twelve youth employment and development programs serving juvenile offenders nationally.
Research suggests that an individual with a job is less likely to commit another crime following incarceration. For example, an evaluation of the Windham School District, a prison educational system in Texas, found that 70% of individuals in the program were employed during their first year of release. And, of this 70%, the recidivism rate was 15%, which is significantly lower than the rate for the general prison population.
CUNY Catch provides former inmates, ages 17-24, with post-incarceration educational services, including pre-GED classes, GED preparation classes, and college preparation classes at three CUNY campuses: Bronx Community College, Medgar Evers College, and LaGuardia Community College. Assessment of participant educational needs may take place either on Rikers Island (prior to discharge) or at one of the participating CUNY campuses after discharge.
Evaluation Framework
Recruitment, retention, educational, and employment outcomes for ex-detainees and ex-offenders are being measured, as well as recidivism rates. In addition, the readmission rate of program enrollees is being compared to the rate for a similar inmate population on an annual basis.
The initiative serves young adults, ages 17-24, who are discharged from the Department of Correction.
Short-Term:
- Increase the number of young adults enrolling in educational programs after incarceration
- Increase the literacy levels, educational skills, and occupational skills of participants
Long-Term:
- Reduce the recidivism rate for young adults discharged from Rikers Island
- Increase the number of dischargees achieving a HS Diploma/GED
- Increase the number of dischargees enrolling in college
- Increase the ability of participants to obtain employment
