NCJ Number
58511
Journal
Wisconsin Sociologist Volume: 13 Issue: 1 Dated: (WINTER 1976) Pages: 30-39
Date Published
1976
Length
10 pages
Annotation
TWO WISCONSIN UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS DISCUSS THEIR EXPERIENCE OF TEACHING FRESHMAN-LEVEL SOCIOLOGY COURSES TO INMATES IN THE FOX LAKE AND WAUPUN PRISONS (BOTH IN WISCONSIN) AND OFFER SUGGESTIONS FOR SIMILAR COURSES.
Abstract
A MAJOR GOAL OF THE SOCIOLOGY COURSE WAS TO AID THE INMATES IN BROADENING AND EXPANDING THEIR CRITICAL ABILITIES, AND THE MOST CONVENIENT FORMAT WAS DETERMINED TO BE ASSIGNMENTS OF 5 TO 10 PAGE PAPERS EVERY 2 WEEKS. MAJOR PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY THE PROFESSORS WERE THE VARIETY OF BACKGROUNDS AND EDUCATIONAL LEVELS AMONG INMATES NECESSITATING INDIVIDUAL INTERVIEWS PRIOR TO THE COURSE OPENING, THE CONFLICT BETWEEN GUARDS AND INMATES, AND ACCESS TO THE PRISON--PERMISSION HAD TO BE GIVEN TO TEACH EACH NEW COURSE AND PRISON OFFICIALS RAISED CONTINUAL QUESTIONS CONCERNING SCHEDULING. GUARDS WERE RESENTFUL THAT INMATES WERE RECEIVING 'FREE' EDUCATION, SEEING IT AS A REWARD FOR BEING DEVIANT. IN THE INSTRUCTORS' OPINION, THE COURSES PROVIDED INMATES WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO USE THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM TO DEMONSTRATE ABILITY TO HANDLE COLLEGE WORK AS EVIDENCE OF 'REHABILITATION'. SUGGESTIONS OUTLINED REGARDING FUTURE COLLEGE COURSEWORK IN PRISONS ARE TO ELICIT COOPERATION OF PRISON ADMINISTRATION PRIOR TO EXPLAINING THE PROGRAM IN DETAIL, FULLY EXPLAIN THE COURSE TO INMATES TO SIDESTEP HIGH ATTRITION RATES, AVOID PRESENTING THE MATERIAL AS REMEDIAL SINCE THIS IS DEMEANING TO INMATES, AND ASSIGN SHORT ANALYTIC PAPERS TO INCREASE INMATES' EXPERIENCE WITH CRITICAL ANALYSIS. COURSE SIZES SHOULD BE LIMITED TO 25 TO PREVENT SECURITY PROBLEMS; SUPPLEMENTARY READINGS SHOULD BE PREPARED; AND LIAISON WITH THE PRISON LIBRARY STAFF SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED. INMATES WISHING TO PARTICIPATE IN UNIVERSITY LEVEL COURSES MUST BE RELEASED FROM OCCUPATIONAL OBLIGATIONS WITHIN THE PRISON AND BE RECOGNIZED AS FULLTIME STUDENTS. FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED. (STB)