Successful reentry for prisoners: A study of career and technical education programs in the Michigan Department of Corrections

This dissertation used a records-based research approach to review administrative records in the Michigan Department of Corrections. The quantitative study utilized a descriptive design in which the researcher collected data on the current Career and Technical Education programs completed by prisoners in the Michigan Department of Corrections that paroled between January 1 and June 30, 2013 and compared it to parolee employment data collected in May 2014. The research problem addressed in the study described whether or not parolees secured employment, upon release from prison, in the area of the Career and Technical Education program completed while incarcerated in the Michigan Department of Corrections. The research study assessed whether or not parolees obtained employment, and if so, if the employment was in the area of the Career and Technical Education program completed while incarcerated. No published literature was found that compared Career and Technical Education programs offered in the Michigan Department of Corrections and employment obtained by parolees. The research study provided a clearer understanding of whether or not parolees from the Michigan Department of Corrections were able to obtain employment in the area of the Career and Technical Education program completed. The study revealed that a significantly larger percentage of parolees did not obtain employment in the area of the Career and Technical Education program completed than did obtain employment. The study also revealed that 37% of parolees included in the study secured employment that did not align with the Career and Technical Education program completed while incarcerated.