CITIZEN ACTION PROGRAMS FOR JAILS (FROM INCARCERATION BENEFITS AND DRAWBACKS, 1977, BY P ECK AND G ENGLISH SEE NCJ-56694)

• NCJ Number: 56696
• Author(s): H KURTZ; R HALPIN; C W FAWNS
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 15 pages
• Corporate Author: University of Texas at Arlington
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PANEL PRESENTATION

Annotation

THREE TEXAS CITIZEN ACTION PROGRAMS FOR JAIL RESIDENTS ARE DESCRIBED, AS THEY PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES FOR INMATES.

Abstract

THE DENTON COUNTY JAIL PROJECT, DENTON, TEX., AROSE FROM THE EFFORTS OF THE CITIZENS FOR MODERNIZED CORRECTIONS, A LOCAL CITIZENS' ACTION GROUP CREATED FOR THE PURPOSE OF EXAMINING THE FUNCTIONING OF THE JAIL SYSTEM. THE PROGRAM CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING COMPONENTS: (1) EDUCATION, WHICH OPERATES IN CONJUNCTION WITH A LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT TO PROVIDE GENERAL EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSES; (2) COUNSELING, WHICH IS ORIENTED TOWARD HELPING CLIENTS TO SURVIVE IN THEIR ENVIRONMENT WITH BEHAVIORAL ALTERNATIVES TO CRIME; (3) RECREATION, WHICH HAS CONSISTED ONLY OF PROVIDING TV SETS DUE TO LACK OF SPACE FOR A MORE EXPANDED PROGRAM; AND (4) REFERRALS, WHICH AIMS AT HELPING EACH INMATE UNDERSTAND THE VARIETY OF SOCIAL SERVICES AVAILABLE TO HIM. THE UNIVERSITY 'Y' JAIL ARTS AND EDUCATION PROGRAM IN AUSTIN, TEXAS, HAS WORKED IN THE TRAVIS COUNTY JAIL AND IN THE TEXAS YOUTH COUNCIL FACILITIES AT GATESVILLE AND GIDDINGS. THE PROGRAM AIMS TO INCREASE THE EDUCATIONAL SKILLS OF THE INMATES. THE COURSES PROVIDED INMATES CONSIST OF FULL-SCALE GENERAL EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSES, TAILOR CLASSES, VOCATIONAL SKILLS, AND YOGA, TO HELP INMATES RELAX. THE PROGRAM ALSO PERIODICALLY PRESENTS DRAMAS PERFORMED BY STUDENTS IN THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS DRAMA DEPARTMENT; MUSICAL ENTERTAINERS ALSO PERFORM AT THE JAILS. THE DALLAS COUNTY JAIL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM PROVIDES CLASSES FOR MALE AND FEMALE INMATES. THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM, A 3-HOUR COLLEGE CREDIT COURSE PROVIDED OVER A 6-WEEK PERIOD, INCLUDES SUCH SUBJECTS AS PSYCHOLOGY, SOCIOLOGY, HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, FOOD SERVICE, DEVELOPMENTAL STUDIES, COMMUNICATIONS, AND A CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICE COURSE TAUGHT BY A PROBATION OFFICER (NONCREDIT). SKILL COURSES FOR FEMALES INCLUDE BASIC SECRETARIAL SKILLS, SUCH AS TYPING AND THE OPERATION OF BUSINESS MACHINES. COURSES ARE PROVIDED AT THE REQUEST OF THE INMATES. (RCB)