NCJ Number
50005
Journal
CRIMINOLOGIA Volume: 1 Issue: 5 Dated: (APRIL 1978) Pages: 45-52
Date Published
1978
Length
8 pages
Annotation
THE PHILOSOPHY AND METHODS THAT SHOULD BE USED FOR EDUCATION IN PREVENTIVE INSTITUTIONS ARE DISCUSSED IN THE MEXICAN CONTEXT.
Abstract
THE MEXICAN PENAL SYSTEM HAS FOCUSED ON COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW THAT ESTABLISHES BASIC NORMS AND WHICH STATES THAT THE EDUCATION GIVEN TO INMATES SHOULD BE NOT ONLY OF AN ACADEMIC NATURE BUT SHOULD ALSO PROVIDE CIVIC, SOCIAL HYGIENIC, ARTISTIC, PHYSICAL, AND AESTHETIC INPUT. IN ALL INSTANCES, INSTRUCTION SHOULD BE UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF TECHNICAL EXPERTS, AND IN THE HANDS OF SPECIALIZED TEACHERS. PARTICULAR EMPHASIS SHOULD BE PLACED ON FORMATIVE EDUCATION AS A BASE FOR SCHOLASTIC PROGRAMS. THE TEACHER SHOULD DEVELOP EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT ACCOMMODATE THE INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH AND THE GENERAL GUIDELINES FOLLOWED BY OTHER SPECIALISTS WORKING FOR THE SOCIAL READAPTATION OF THE INDIVIDUAL. EDUCATION IS TO BE VIEWED AS ONE OF THE MOST COMPLEX ASPECTS OF AN INDIVIDUAL'S LIFE, AND AS IT EVOLVES INTO A PERMANENT PROCESS IT MAY FORM, ALONG WITH JOBS, THE MECHANISMS OF SOCIAL ADAPTATION OR READAPTATION. ALTHOUGH MOST INSTITUTIONS HAVE SCHOOLS, IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT FOR THIS EDUCATION TO BE FRUITFUL, IT MUST BE SPECIALIZED AND INCORPORATE NOT ONLY COGNITIVE PROGRAMS, BUT ALSO AFFECTIVE AND CREATIVE PROGRAMS THAT ARE ENHANCED BY INSIGHTS FROM PSYCHOLOGY, MEDICINE, AND SOCIAL WORK. IN IMPLEMENTING THESE PROGRAMS, THREE ASPECTS OF THE INDIVIDUAL SHOULD BE EMPHASIZED: THE UNIQUENESS OF THE INDIVIDUAL, THE ROLE OF THE PERSON IN THE COMMUNITY, AND THE NEED FOR COMMUNICATION WITH OTHERS. IN THIS RESPECT, THE COGNITIVE PROGRAM COVERS THE INFORMATION, PREPARATION AND THE QUALIFICATIONS THAT THE STUDENT NEEDS TO IMPROVE HIS SELF-WORTH; THE AFFECTIVE PROGRAM GIVES A PSYCHO-EDUCATIONAL BASIS FOR READAPTATION AND ALLOWS THE STUDENT TO LIVE WITH A FAMILY AND WORK CONSTRUCTIVELY FOR THE SOCIETY; AND THE CREATIVE PROGRAM CONCENTRATES ON ACTIVITIES THAT ARE COMPLEMENTARY TO HUMAN DEVELOPMENT (PHYSICAL EDUCATION, SPORTS, RECREATION, ARTISTIC AND TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT). THESE PROGRAMS ARE COORDINATED WITH WORK THERAPY. TO OBTAIN MAXIMUM RESULTS WITH THIS PROGRESSIVE PROCESS OF SOCIAL READAPTATION, SEVERAL METHODS OF INDIVIDUALIZED ORIENTATION CAN BE USED, SUCH AS THE DALTON PLAN, THE WINNETKA SYSTEM, CARDS, AND PROGRAMMED TEACHING. NO BIBLIOGRAPHY IS PROVIDED. (INL)