NCJ Number
48174
Date Published
1977
Length
132 pages
Annotation
AN OVERVIEW OF MAJOR ISSUES IN FIVE CATEGORIES OF ADULT CORRECTIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS, BASED ON A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE AND A STUDY OF PROGRAMS IN A SAMPLE OF 327 INSTITUTIONS, ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
FIVE MAJOR CATEGORIES OF EDUCATION PROGRAMMING WERE IDENTIFIED: ADULT BASIC EDUCATION IS THAT WHICH AIMS TO IMPROVE BASIC LITERACY, LINGUISTIC, AND COMPUTATIONAL SKILLS; SECONDARY AND GENERAL EDUCATION DIPLOMA PROGRAMS ARE THOSE DESIGNED TO FACILITATE EARNING OF A HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY CERTIFICATE; POST-SECONDARY PROGRAMS INCLUDE THOSE COLLEGE COURSES AVAILABLE FOR ACADEMIC CREDIT; VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO DEVELOP JOB-RELATED SKILLS; AND SOCIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS INCLUDE SUCH PROGRAMS AS LIFE SKILLS OR DECISIONMAKING TRAINING WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO AID THE INMATE'S REINTEGRATION INTO THE COMMUNITY. EACH OF THE FIVE CHAPTERS DEALS WITH ONE TYPE OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM. FOR EACH, A DEFINITION, A LITERATURE AND RESEARCH SUMMARY, AND A DISCUSSION OF MAJOR ISSUES IS PRESENTED. ISSUE AREAS ASSESSED INCLUDE FUNDING AND ADMINISTRATION, THE IMPACT OF THE NATURE OF CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS ON THE PROGRAM, PROGRAM PLANNING AND DESIGN, ACCESS TO RESOURCES AND MATERIALS, AND PROGRAM EVALUATION. A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS WITHIN EACH AREA WHICH APPEAR TO BE COMMON TO ALL CORRECTIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS WERE IDENTIFIED. IN THE AREA OF FUNDING AND ADMINISTRATION, PROBLEMS INCLUDE CONFLICT AMONG EXTERNAL AGENCIES RESPONSIBLE FOR PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION, CONFLICT BETWEEN ADMINISTRATORS WITHIN THE PRISON, LACK OF COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING, LACK OF ADEQUATE FUNDING, DIVERSITY OF FUNDING SOURCES AND LACK OF KNOWLEDGE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY AND CONFLICT BETWEEN CUSTODIAL AND TREATMENT PHILOSOPHIES, LOW PRIORITY ACCORDED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, RESTRICTED ACCESS TO EXTERNAL RESOURCES AND EXPERIENCES, LACK OF INCENTIVES FOR PARTICIPATION AND COERCION, AND HOSTILITY OF SECURITY STAFF ARE PROBLEMS STEMMING FROM THE NATURE OF THE INSTITUTION. IN THE AREA OF PROGRAM DESIGN, PROBLEMS INCLUDE LACK OF PROGRAM INTEGRATION AND SPECIFICITY, INADEQUATE SUPPORT SERVICES, INADEQUATE STUDENT SELECTION AND PLACEMENT PROCEDURES, AND POOR QUALITY OF INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF. FINALLY, THERE IS, AS A RESULT OF A VARIETY OF PRACTICAL AND THEORETICAL FACTORS, A LACK OF RIGOROUS AND SYSTEMATIC PROGRAM EVALUATION. FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION OF RESEARCH UNDERTAKEN AS PART OF THE NATIONAL EVALUATION PROGRAM SEE NCJ#S 48175-48177. EXTENSIVE REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (JAP)