NCJ Number
70903
Editor(s)
R A Ball
Date Published
1968
Length
137 pages
Annotation
A comprehensive training program which was developed for West Virginia correctional personnel with the aid of an LEAA grant in 1968 is described.
Abstract
Representatives from 13 corrections and parole agencies and from 5 colleges and 2 universities participated in a 2-day conference in order to determine agancy training needs as they pertained to working with public offenders. The participants agreed upon six goals. (1) Four annual institutes of 4 days each will be held on a permanent basis to supplement the inservice training planned at the various institutions. (2) Institutional inservice training programs will be modified to provide for more inmate-staff interaction, to present more human relations training, and to yield greater staff professionalization. (3) Extension education for correctional personnel will be conducted in cooperation with the Division of Continuing Education of West Virginia University. The courses will include History of Corrections, The Rehabilitation Process, Reports and Communications, The Custodial Officer, The Inmate Social System, and Institutional Programs. (4) West Virginia University will consider establishing degree programs in criminology and corrections. (5) The State's legislature will be encouraged to initiate civil service status for correctional employees in order to help professionalize the positions of corrections workers. And (6) the establishment of a regional crime and corrections research and training center will be encouraged. Such a center could effectively oversee and continuously evaluate the statewide comprehensive training programs. Appendixes contain information on the inservice training program at West Virginia Penitentiary, the agency survey instrument, minutes of advisory committee meetings, materials from a pilot training institute program, and information on the location of extension courses under the auspices of West Virginia University.