NCJ Number
106757
Editor(s)
C Hart
Date Published
1986
Length
284 pages
Annotation
This document surveys needs of the Hispanic inmates who now comprise approximately 27 percent of New York State's prison population and presents recommendations for improving services in essential areas such as health care, education, and counseling.
Abstract
After describing the State's Hispanic Inmates Needs Program, the report explores linguistics and ethnic differences of Hispanic inmates. Topics covered include value concepts, nonverbal communication, and the subculture of violence. In discussing needs and services, the report focuses on the following: staff, health services, counseling/mental health, education/libraries, Hispanic female inmate needs, legal services, and pre- and postrelease programs. The report presents vital statistics on Hispanics in New York State and the United States, as well as Hispanics in prisons. Data on subgroups, such as Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, and Cuban Americans, are provided. The final summary discusses the importance of education in Hispanic culture, the concepts of pride and shame that inhibit Hispanics from admitting educational deficiencies, the importance of bilingual education for Hispanic inmates, and the diversity within the Hispanic population. Articles, references, resource lists, directories, and glossary are appended. Tables and maps.