Analyzing the Impact of MCORP on Employment Rates

Researcher: Raine Huebner Gloege

Date: September 11th, 2025

Executive Summary

Our analysis indicates that the MCORP program is associated with a notable increase in post-release employment. Offenders who did not receive MCORP services secured employment at a rate of 39.2%, compared to 55.3% among those who did. Based on our testing, this 1,610 basis point increase is statistically significant. However, we estimate the program’s true impact ranges from a 290 to 2,920 basis point increase.

Research Objectives

The goal of this study was to assess whether the MCORP program effectively prepares offenders for re-entry into their communities. Employment status following their release was used as a measure of success

Study Details

The Minnesota Department of Corrections, in collaboration with Hennepin, Ramsey, Dodge, Fillmore, and Olmsted counties, implemented the Minnesota Comprehensive Offender Reentry Plan (MCORP) in 2008. A total of 249 eligible offenders were randomly assigned to one of two groups: a control group that received standard release services, and a programming group that received MCORP services (hereafter referred to as the MCORP group). Offenders from both groups were released to one of the five participating counties and were tracked for 16 months following their release. All releases occurred between February and December 2008.

Analysis Findings

1. Statistical Significance

We found that the difference in employment rates between the two groups is statistically significant (p-value < 0.05), indicating that this difference is unlikely due to chance and that MCORP services had a positive impact on employment rates.

2. Employment Summary Table

Employment

No

Yes

Total

p-value1

Group

0.018

Control

48 (19%)

31 (12%)

79 (32%)

MCORP

76 (31%)

94 (38%)

170 (68%)

Total

124 (50%)

125 (50%)

249 (100%)

1Pearson's Chi-squared test

Table 1: Employment Status by Group, with relative frequencies and p-value indicating statistical significance.

3. Magnitude of the Difference

Over half of the offenders in the MCORP group (55.3%) were employed after the study period, compared to 39.2% in the control group (see Figure 1).

4. Estimated Impact Range

While we observed a 1,610 basis point increase, the true effect of MCORP services may vary. Based on our analysis, we are 95% confident that the MCORP program increases employment rates by between 290 and 2,920 basis points.

5. Visual Comparison

Figure 1. Stacked bar chart comparing employment rates by group (in percentages).

Recommendations

While our findings indicate that MCORP increased employment rates for eligible offenders who received the additional services, further information is needed to determine whether the program should be continued or expanded.

Additional areas of investigation could include: