NCJ Number
100078
Journal
Community/Junior College Quarterly Volume: 9 Issue: 3 Dated: (1985) Pages: 257-272
Date Published
1985
Length
16 pages
Annotation
A 1981 survey of post-secondary institutions offering education programs in prisons found that over 75 percent were community and vocational/technical colleges, a major change over the early 1970's when 4-year institutions provided 67 percent of such programs.
Abstract
A preliminary national survey of central office correctional education administrators revealed that approximately 27,000 adult and juvenile prisoners, almost 9 percent of the incarcerated population, were receiving post-secondary instruction. Questionnaires then were mailed to the 316 post-secondary institutions identified in this survey. Responses were received from 228 colleges and universities, a response rate of 72.1 percent. The survey showed that 116 community colleges, 24 vocational/technical schools, 12 colleges (4-year), and 30 colleges/universities (undergraduate and graduate) served prisons. Most inmates enrolled in higher education programs were males between 18 and 35 years old. The most frequent source of funds for the programs were the Pell Grant and State incentive grants. Veterans Administration funding and students' personal resources were of minimal importance. Programs offered by educational institutions in prisons differed from those provided on campus. They had different admission standards, were administered by part-time staff, and relied on part-time and adjunct faculty. Tables and 13 references.