Effectiveness of Correctional Education System in Georgia State Prisons: Labeling Theory as Sociological Approach

The overall purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of correctional education programs in America generally, and in the state of Georgia, specifically, and its role to decrease post-release prisoners’ recidivism. In addition, relying on labeling theory, this study aims to explore how the understanding of this theory could help reduce the stigma toward the educated ex-prisoners, who received educational programs while in prison. The basic design of this study was meta-analysis method. The researcher conducted a comprehensive literature search for published and unpublished studies released between ۱۹۸۰ and ۲۰۱۱. A correlation between recidivism reduction and participation in correctional education programs. The correctional education programs can help ex-prisoners start their lives after release; also, offenders who participated in education programs while incarcerated showed lower rates of recidivism, and they get a higher salary than other uneducated ex-prisoners.

Keywords:

Correctional education programs , labeling theory , Meta-analysis , Recidivism