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How Cultural Assumptions May Affect Teaching, Learning, and Communication in the Nation's Prisons

NCJ Number
150772
Journal
Journal of Correctional Education Volume: 45 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1994) Pages: 86-91
Author(s)
G Franklin; J S Platt
Date Published
1994
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Since correctional institutions are generally insensitive to cultural diversity, this paper presents a multicultural communication model to encourage more effective verbal and nonverbal communication between correctional staff and inmates.
Abstract
Correctional institutions house significantly diverse cultural groups, and correctional educators need to enhance their communication skills and become more sensitive to cultural differences in inmate populations. A multicultural communication model is proposed that identifies historical, individual, and cultural factors in communication. Individual factors include beliefs, values, prejudices, attitudes, and preferences. Cultural factors encompass way of life, group membership, world view, status, language, social practices, and choice practices. 33 references and 1 figure