NCJ Number
147971
Date Published
1990
Length
187 pages
Annotation
Results of a study of inmates at New York State's Sing Sing Correctional Facility are discussed.
Abstract
A study of a random sample of 220 male inmates was conducted in the summer of 1989. Questionnaires were distributed directly to the inmates. Results indicate that 79 percent of the respondents were high school dropouts, including 78 percent of the black respondents, 69 percent of the white respondents, and 87 percent of the Hispanic respondents. Dropouts experienced a significantly greater rate of grade retention, school transfers, misbehavior, poor attendance, and poor academic performance than did graduates in prison. They also had significantly less extracurricular activity. Major reasons for dropping out were wanting to work and being bored with courses. In their last two years of school, only half had had contact with a counselor. Adverse socioeconomic conditions and poor role modeling probably contributed to dropping out and criminality. At the time of arrest, only 52 percent of the dropouts were employed, compared to 71 percent of the graduates. Both graduates and dropouts exhibited prevalent drug use, gang affiliation, and relatively low income. Most dropouts regretted their decision to drop out. Eighty-five percent of the sample had participated in the prison's educational programs. Of the 173 dropouts, 103 had acquired a General Educational Development (GED) diploma, with 89 acquiring the GED in prison. Sixteen previous dropouts and 11 graduates attained college degrees while incarcerated. English and Spanish questionnaires and a 10-page bibliography are included.