NCJ Number
143575
Journal
Federal Prisons Journal Volume: 3 Issue: 2 Dated: (Fall 1992) Pages: 33-36
Date Published
1992
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The Federal Bureau of Prisons established its first mandatory literacy program for Federal prisoners in 1982 and now requires a high school diploma as its equivalence and an enrollment period of 120 days to meet this higher standard.
Abstract
All promotions in jobs above the entry level are contingent on meeting this standard. In addition, all institutions must employ a special education instructor to work with students with special needs. Moreover, instructional materials are multimedia and computer-based wherever possible, Most important, each institution's education department must operate incentive programs to motivate and recognize student accomplishments. Several studies have begun to link education to positive outcomes after release. In addition, literacy programs provide a positive use of time while incarcerated and improve a prison's internal environment and the quality of its workforce. The Federal literacy program initially set the literacy standard at sixth grade. It increased the standard to eighth grade in 1986 and to high school equivalency in 1991. As a result of the program and standards, substantial increases have occurred in the number of inmates enrolled in academic education programs and in those taking the General Educational Development test. An eighth grade standard is now required by law, under the Crime Control Act of 1990. The American Bar Association also supports mandatory literacy. Table