NCJ Number
43547
Journal
Research Bulletin Issue: 4 Dated: (1977) Pages: 22-25
Date Published
1977
Length
4 pages
Annotation
AN EXPERIMENTAL PRERELEASE TRAINING PROGRAM CARRIED OUT AT A CLOSED, LOW-SECURITY PRISON AND AN OPEN PRISON IN ENGLAND IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THE 3-YEAR PROJECT BEGAN IN MAY 1975 UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE INDUSTRIAL TRAINING RESEARCH UNIT OF UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, LONDON. THE AIM OF THE PROJECT WAS TO DETERMINE WHAT KIND OF TRAINING IS HELPFUL TO MEN ABOUT TO LEAVE PRISON AND TO ASSESS THE ABILITY OF PRISON PERSONNEL TO CONDUCT TRAINING COURSES. A SERIES OF 'PROBLEM PROGRAMS' DEALING WITH SUCH TOPICS AS JOB SEARCH, ACCOMMODATION SEARCH, AND INTERACTIONS WITH PEOPLE WAS DESIGNED. THE CONTENT OF EACH PROGRAM IS FLEXIBLE WITHIN A GENERAL FORMAT OF SEFL-ASSESSMENT, OBJECTIVES, LEARNING PROCEDURES, AND EVALUATION. INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS INCLUDE DIRECT TEACHING, GROUP DISCUSSION, ROLE-PLAY, SIMULATIONS, INTERVIEWS, WRITTEN TESTS, INDIVIDUAL LEARNING PACKAGES, PROGRAMMED LEARNING, AND PROJECT WORK. A 7-WEEK, FULL-TIME TRAINING COURSE WAS ADMINISTERED TO NINE PRISON OFFICERS. IN 1976, 5 FULL-LENGTH COURSES INVOLVING 3 OFFICERS AND 58 PRISONERS WERE COMPLETED. ALL 58 MEN WHO COMPLETED THE COURSES REPORTED THAT THEY HAD GAINED SOMETHING USEFUL FROM THE EXPERIENCE (E.G., INCREASED SELF-CONFIDENCE). EIGHT OF THE 12 MEN PARTICIPATING IN ONE OF THE COURSES FOUND WORK OR TRAINING PLACES WHILE STILL IN PRISON. EXPERIENCE SUGGESTS THAT PRISON OFFICERS ARE ABLE TO CONDUCT PRERELEASE COURSES WHICH PARTICIPANTS FIND BENEFICIAL.