Victor Callan and John Gardner examine links between prisoners' participation in the vocational education and training (VET) programs available within the Queensland prison system and their chances of returning to prison. The findings reveal that being involved in VET before initial release decreases the chances of returning to prison from 32 per cent to 23 per cent.

Nevertheless, particular attention needs to be given to designing a comprehensive range of programs targeted at meeting the needs of individual prisoner groups, particularly for Indigenous prisoners. The research supports efforts to promote the value of VET and its role in prisoner rehabilitation, and to reduce barriers to accessing VET in correctional centres.