NCJ Number
49129
Date Published
1975
Length
9 pages
Annotation
AN EXPANDED PROGRAM OF ACADEMIC AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION DUE TO A NEW SCHOOL BUILDING IS DESCRIBED FOR THIS MAXIMUM SECURITY INSTITUTION IN NEW YORK.
Abstract
ON APRIL 1, 1961, A MODERN SCHOOL BUILDING WAS COMPLETED WITHIN THE WALLS OF AUBURN PRISON. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A VERY FEW WHOSE EDUCATIONAL ABILITY IS LESS THAN FIFTH GRADE, PARTICIPANTS ATTEND VOLUNTARILY. THE FACILITIES CONSIST OF 14 CLASSROOMS, 14 VOCATIONAL SHOPS, THE ADMINISTRATION OFFICES, A LIBRARY, AND A VISUAL AIDS ROOM COMPLETE WITH TELEVISION RECEIVER, AS WELL AS MOTION PICTURE, FILM STRIP, AND OVERHEAD PROJECTORS. THE ACADEMIC PROGRAM RANGES FROM FIRST GRADE THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL, AND INMATES CAN EARN EITHER OR BOTH A HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY AND A HIGH SCHOOL NEW YORK STATE REGENTS DIPLOMA. INMATES ENROLL WEEKLY, AND PROMOTIONS BELOW THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL ARE MADE WHEN THE INDIVIDUAL STUDENT IS READY FOR PROMOTION. VOCATIONAL TRAINING AT AUBURN IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE SALABLE SKILLS. COURSE OFFERINGS ARE SELECTED ON THE BASIS OF AVAILABLE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE. THE PROCESS BY WHICH INMATES FROM OTHER MAXIMUM SECURITY INSTITUTIONS IN THE STATE ARE SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN AUBURN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES IS DESCRIBED. SOME COORDINATION PROBLEMS THAT HAVE DEVELOPED ARE NOTED AND THEIR RESOLUTION IS INDICATED. PRIOR TO MOVING INTO THE NEW BUILDING WITH ITS EXPANDED EDUCATIONAL CURRICULUM, THE AVERAGE DAILY ENROLLMENT WAS 130 INMATES. IT IS BELIEVED THE INCREASE TO 800 IN 4 YEARS WAS DUE TO INTERDEPARTMENTAL COOPERATIVE EFFORT AS WELL AS THE DEVELOPMENT OF INMATE RESPECT FOR THE SINCERITY AND APPLICABILITY OF THE PROGRAM. (RCB)