GED Completion Reduces Recidivism, Data Download, Iowa Department of Corrections, January 2013, Corrections, Department of

During 2011, the Iowa Department of Corrections analyzed the impact that attaining a GED has on recidivism – specifically, three-year return-to-prison rate. For those inmates who have a low or moderate risk level (as measured by the LSI-R assessment tool), attaining a GED does not tend to reduce the return-to-prison rate. However, attaining a GED does tend to reduce the rate for higher risk offenders.