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Washington State Institute for Public Policy

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Publications

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Improving Evaluations of Programs Offered by the Department of Corrections (DOC)
Open Publication PDF

Colin Gibson, Corey Whichard - July 2025

Although experimental research is ideal for testing causal relationships between variables, its use in correctional settings is rare for both practical and ethical reasons. This report explores opportunities for improving the quality of WSIPP’s outcome evaluations of prison programs offered by the Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC).

Our analysis finds that six current DOC programs show promise regarding the use of natural experiments to conduct outcome evaluations. However, programs present challenges regarding incomplete data collection, the lack of quality assurance systems, and the use of subjective criteria for determining program eligibility. Practices that could improve future research quality include tracking additional participant and facilitator data, implementing quality assurance systems, and conducting randomized controlled trials of prison programs. Some of these practices would require additional resources or would raise legal or ethical issues.

Download:   Report    Executive Summary  
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