NCJ Number
66692
Journal
Journal of Correctional Education Volume: 31 Issue: 1 Dated: (MARCH 1980) Pages: 8-11
Date Published
1980
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THIS IS THE TEXT OF A TESTIMONY ON THE STATUS OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN TEXAS CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS GIVEN AT A PUBLIC HEARING OF THE NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL.
Abstract
DESCRIBED IN DETAIL ARE THE WINDHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT PROGRAMS, WHICH PROVIDE ACADEMIC AND VOCATIONAL CLASSES TO INMATES WHO ARE NOT ALREADY GRADUATES OF AN ACCREDITED HIGH SCHOOL. CLASSES ARE CONDUCTED AT FIFTEEN PRISON FACILITIES, WITH 10,000 INMATES CURRENTLY RECEIVING INSTRUCTION THROUGH THIS STATEWIDE CORRECTIONAL EDUCATION SYSTEM. THE ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF CONSISTS OF 319 PEOPLE AND A FULL-TIME PROFESSIONAL FACULTY PROVIDES INSTRUCTION IN THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM CATEGORIES: ACADEMIC, VOCATIONAL, TITLE 1, BILINGUAL, SPECIAL EDUCATION, AND LIBRARY SERVICES. INMATES WITH LESS THAN FIFTH GRADE EQUIVALENCY ATTEND SCHOOL AT LEAST 6 HOURS PER WEEK, WHILE OTHERS QUALIFY BY POINT INCENTIVE PLANS AND ARE RELEASED FROM WORK TO ATTEND CLASSES LEADING TO HIGH SCHOOL OR JUNIOR COLLEGE DIPLOMAS. ACCREDITED BY THE SOUTHERN ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS, WINDHAM IS THE FIRST CORRECTIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAM TO RECEIVE SUCH STATUS FROM THE REGIONAL ACCREDITATION AGENCY. OVER 50 PERCENT OF TEXAS INMATES ARE ENROLLED IN WINDHAM PROGRAMS, AND 5 PERCENT RECEIVE VOCATIONAL TRAINING. IN THE 10-YEAR PERIOD BETWEEN 1969-1979, THE STATE OF TEXAS SPENT APPROXIMATELY 11 TIMES AS MUCH MONEY FOR VOCATIONAL EDUCATION IN CORRECTIONS AS DID THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. FEDERAL LEGISLATION FOR VOCATIONAL EDUCATION HAS FAILED TO MAKE SPECIFIC PROVISIONS FOR SUCH PROGRAMS IN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS. NEW CLASSROOMS AND SHOPS ARE ALSO CRITICALLY NEEDED. THE APPENDIX LISTS AREAS OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING OFFERED AT WINDHAM. (MRK)