The Impact of a Work Release Program on Post-Prison Recidivism in Taiwan

Abstract

Extensive research has consistently demonstrated that gainful employment after incarceration is a critical factor in supporting the successful reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals into society. While recent studies conducted in Western contexts have shown that work release programs (WRPs) facilitate this reintegration, their effectiveness in reducing recidivism remains largely unexplored in Asian societies. This study analyzes archival data from Taiwan’s Agency of Corrections, focusing on a 2020 parole cohort of 8,249 individuals as the study target population. Using propensity score matching (PSM), participants from 2018 and 2019, before parole release, were grouped into the WRP (Autonomous Out-Of-Prison Labor [AOPL], n = 462) as the treatment group and the non-WRP group (n = 4,620) as the comparison group. Follow-up data from 2020 through May 2023 were used to examine reoffending rates and timing. Conditional logistic regression models revealed that AOPL participation significantly reduced the likelihood of recidivism. Proportional hazards models further indicated that AOPL participants reoffended later than their non-participating counterparts, underscoring the potential of WRPs to enhance reintegration outcomes in Taiwan.

Plain Language Summary

Facilitating Reintegration: What Taiwan’s Work-Release Program Reveals About Post-Prison Transitions

Around the world, correctional systems have shifted from focusing mainly on punishment and isolation to emphasizing rehabilitation and reintegration. Today, prisons often provide counseling, vocational training, and job preparation to help people transition successfully back into society. One important initiative is the Work-Release Program (WRP), which allows eligible incarcerated individuals to work in the community before their official release. This early exposure to stable employment helps reduce the risk of reoffending. Although WRPs are well supported by criminological theory and widely studied in Western countries, there is limited evidence from Asian contexts. This study draws on archival data from Taiwan’s Ministry of Justice and the Agency of Corrections. The study followed 462 individuals who participated in Taiwan’s WRP—known as the Autonomous Out-Of-Prison Labor (AOPL) program—in 2018 and 2019 and were paroled in 2020, constituting the treatment group. Follow-up data were collected through May 2023 to measure reoffending outcomes. To strengthen the analysis, propensity score matching (PSM) was used to create a comparison group of 4,620 individuals who were eligible for AOPL but did not participate. Results from conditional logistic regression and proportional hazards models showed that AOPL participants had a 25% lower risk of recidivism. After 40 months, 64.2% of participants had not reoffended, compared to 56% of non-participants. These findings suggest that Taiwan’s AOPL program is an effective strategy for reintegration. The study concludes with practical recommendations for prison administrators and correctional agencies to strengthen further and refine work-release programs.

Keywords

work release program (WRP)recidivism reintegration employment autonomous out-of-prison labor (AOPL)turning points archival data

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