NCJ Number
198466
Journal
Journal of Correctional Education Volume: 53 Issue: 4 Dated: December 2002 Pages: 139-144
Date Published
December 2002
Length
6 pages
Annotation
The effectiveness of an intensive literacy program aimed at increasing the literacy skills of youths confined in juvenile corrections is discussed in this article.
Abstract
Focusing on youths confined in juvenile correctional facilities, this article describes the effectiveness of an intensive literacy program aimed at increasing the literacy skills of incarcerated youths. Noting that in some jurisdictions around 70 percent of the incarcerated population is believed to be illiterate, the author presents a brief review of literature addressing the historical perspective of literacy among the general student population. Previous research indicates a correlation between educational program participation and lower crime rates along with lower rates of recidivism. Focusing on a study conducted at Oak Hill Youth Center in Laurel, MD, the article describes the six residents of Oak Hill, age 17, committed for a minimum of 6 months who were profiled in this project. The six Oak Hill residents received intensive instruction with corrective reading materials and were administered a placement test at the beginning and end of this study in order to assess their academic instructional levels. The author found that this intensive literacy program demonstrated positive gains among the residents of Oak Hill in regards to oral fluency, grade placement, and overall attitude. The author concludes that intensive and effective educational services in juvenile correctional facilities provide incarcerated juveniles with an opportunity to improve their academic skills and develop the emotional confidence needed to achieve their personal goals upon release. References