Access of Hispanic inmates to correctional education (GED) in California and its impact on three year recidivism rates

This quantitative correlational study was held to investigate the access of Hispanic inmates to GED preparation and completion in California prisons. By examining data on Hispanic and non-Hispanic inmate completion of GED testing in California, and correlating those data with one-, two-, and three-year recidivism rates for Hispanics, the researcher concluded that Hispanics increasingly participate in GED testing in this state but fail the test more frequently than non-Hispanics do, which suggests their poorer preparation and literacy level. Moreover, this study showed that GED completion rates affect one- and two-year recidivism rates of Hispanics, declining in impact on third-year recidivism rates. Implications of these findings and recommendations for improving access of Hispanics to rehabilitation programs including GED preparation are discussed in the final sections of the study.