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Agency: Department of Correction |
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Start Date: September 2007 |
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CEO FY09 Budget: $350,000 |
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Program Type: Youth, Re-Entry, Mentorship |
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Number of Confirmed Arrivals (Served): 175 |
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Number Enrolled in GED: 15 |
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Number Enrolled in Vocational Classes: 28 |
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Number Enrolled in College: 23 |
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Number of Job Placements (Part Time): 17 |
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Number of Job Placements (Full-Time): 19 |
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Getting Out and Staying Out (GOSO) is one of three Model Education Programs that places young adults leaving the custody of the NYC Department of Correction into post-discharge programs. GOSO provides mentoring and counseling, while linking participants to educational and employment opportunities.
When exiting detention and returning from incarceration, poor young adults aged 16 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." This lack of literacy 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 and employment skills have been identified as a systemic problem for youth involved in the criminal justice system. 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.
Getting Out and Staying Out provide inmates on Rikers Island with one-on-one mentoring and group counseling. Mentors are able to provide testimony at court appearances about behavior and achievements and offer post-discharge transitional services including life skills coaching, job counseling, and group seminars, leading to educational and/or job training opportunities.
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 19-24, who are being discharged from the Department of Correction.
Short-Term:
- Increase the number of young adults enrolling
in educational programs after incarceration
- Increase the educational and occupational
skills of participants
- Place participants in employment
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 and retain employment
