NCJ Number
90785
Journal
Revue internationale de criminologie et de police technique Volume: 35 Issue: 1 Dated: (January-March 1982) Pages: 33-46
Date Published
1982
Length
14 pages
Annotation
In the post-World War II period, correctional reforms were instituted in the name of rehabilitation, and vocational training was considered an integral part of the restructuring each inmate's personality was to undergo in corrections. Two open institutions were established as special prison schools with intensive educational programs, while traditional institutions expanded vocational training options for their inmates. Attempts were made to tailor programs to the manpower needs of the country's economy as well as to meet the interests and talents of individual inmates. Many individuals, especially from the intensive training institutions, experienced postrelease employment success. Followup statistics were obtained in 1953 showing recidivism at approximately 27 percent from one school and 29 percent from the other among ex-inmates released in 1947, having completed the training program. In the 1960's, economic constraints and staffing problems encumbered the specialized correctional schools. Furthermore, inmate populations were increasing while prison terms served had become too short for meaningful training to take place. Training programs came to be perceived as just one of many rehabilitation therapies, and the skills taught were below the apprenticeship levels of former programing. In the 1970's, correctional reforms are once more being called for with reemphasis on vocational training. Proposals have been made to enable inmates to begin employment program skills while in prison and continue training in the same vocation after release.
Abstract
This review of vocational programing for inmates in French corrections divides the era since 1945 into three periods: the golden age, 1947-1960; decline, 1960-1971; and resurgence, 1971-1975.