NCJ Number
182117
Journal
Journal of Correctional Education Volume: 51 Issue: 1 Dated: March 2000 Pages: 169-178
Editor(s)
Carolyn Eggleston
Date Published
March 2000
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This article chronicles the history of prison education in the State of Florida and recognizes an understanding of how corrections and education co-exist is important to the continuing success of both the educational and the correctional systems in Florida.
Abstract
The history of correctional education in Florida is reviewed since the early 1970's when the Division of Corrections was reorganized and additional support personnel were added to improve correctional education and inmate programs. Increased emphasis was placed on vocational training programs and directed study programs were developed for inmates. The Bureau of Education and Career Development, later referred to as the Bureau of Education Services, was established to monitor and evaluate inmate education. The Division of Corrections was replaced by the Department of Corrections (DOC), and activities continued to improve inmate education. In the 1980's, DOC employees were transferred from the Department of Corrections to the Correctional Education School Authority (CESA). During 1987-1988, CESA had academic programs in 33 major institutions and vocational programs in 27 major institutions. In the 1990's, CESA had difficulties with the Florida Legislature, its funding and personnel declined, and enrollment in inmate academic programs declined. In 1995, CESA was placed directly under the authority of the DOC. The DOC subsequently created the Office of Education and Job Training with responsibility for providing correctional education programs. 49 references and 7 tables