Justice Data Lab re-offending analysis: A4E First Steps programme

This document describes an evaluation of the effectiveness of a program by A4e aimed at reducing re-offending rates among offenders. The program, which included both accredited and non-accredited training elements, was assessed by analyzing data for 1,004 offenders targeted between 2009 and 2011, with a focus on those targeted in 2010. The evaluation used a matched control group methodology, comparing 168 A4e offenders to 97,002 similar individuals not in the program. Results indicated a slight, but not statistically significant, reduction in re-offending rates for A4e participants (45%) compared to the control group (48%). The study acknowledges limitations such as potential selection bias, the exclusion of certain offenders, and the need for caution in interpreting results due to underlying individual characteristics not captured in the data. The analysis found a statistically significant reduction in the frequency of re-offending with a p-value of 0.03, but recommends further research with a larger sample size for more precise results. The document, which includes detailed contact information and is released under the Open Government License, emphasizes that the findings should not be compared to national averages or other reports due to differences in methodology and statistical significance testing. **This summary was written by an AI model and therefore should not be considered a definitive summary of the report. If you are aware of inaccuracies, please email evaluation.registry@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.**

Description

• Lead department: Ministry of Justice (MOJ)
• Evaluation stage: A complete evaluation report
• Other departments: No other departments listed
• Evaluation types: Impact evaluation
• Impact methods: Quasi-experimental method
• Quasi-experimental methods: Matching
• Grant information: This intervention is not distributing funding via a grant
• Government Major Project information: This intervention is not a major project
• Policies: No policies provided

Event Dates

• Event Name: Publication of final results
• Event date: 2013

Evaluation Costs

• Cost: Not provided

Evaluation sharing

• Link(s) to published report(s): Yes
• Links to evaluation plans: No link provided
• Findings: Not provided
• Permission to share confirmed: Yes