The study demonstrated the value of a more sophisticated statistical analysis which combines survival analysis with smoothing models; this provided new insights into the theoretical understanding of the data. Remaining in contact with the organization, irrespective of whether a suitable job was found, benefited those with approximately 4 to 12 previous convictions. Lessons from this study may be generalizable to all social work intervention. The obvious may fail to produce effects while the unexpected may succeed. Rather than probing the reasons for failure, the study focused on trying to understand the apparent success. Figures, notes, references