Kanawha Institute for Social Research and Action, Inc.

Current Research Documents

Prison-Based Programs & Employment Success

This dissertation examines the contributions of pre-incarceration experiences and prison-based programs to post-release employment success and recidivism. Parolees released from the West Virginia Division of Corrections between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009 were studied. The impact of education, life and vocational programs on the employment experiences and recidivism of a sample of these parolees were analyzed using Chi Square tests and logistic regression.

The study found that men have a significantly higher probability than women of acquiring and retaining employment after release from prison. With regards to program completion, the study found that education program completion had no effect on employment acquisition, employment sustainability or near-term recidivism (dependent variables). The study further found that life program completion also had no effect on these dependent variables, neither did vocational program completion. Additionally, there was no difference in outcomes between Whites and African-Americans.

Fatherhood Program Evaluation 2010

Documentation of the achievements of the Fatherhood Program implemented by KISRA

2010 KISRA Impact Report

This report quantifies some of the impact of KISRA services on the people who are served and the state as a whole.