NCJ Number
90467
Journal
Parks and Recreation Volume: 16 Issue: 2 Dated: (February 1981) Pages: 34-39,73
Date Published
1981
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This report presents findings from a national survey of adult correctional institutions designed to determine the extent, characteristics, and funding sources for arts and athletic programs.
Abstract
A total of 220 questionnaires were distributed, with 139 returned (63 percent response rate). Most respondents have some type of leisure-time programming, but the kinds of programming as well as the costs varied widely between institutions. By far, the most used arts programming was arts and crafts, while the most frequent forms of athletic activities were, in descending order, basketball, softball, volleyball, and weightlifting. No other arts or athletic programs were represented in 50 percent of the cases. A positive aspect of three of the top four athletic activities is their team aspect, which entails cooperative behavior. Better than half of the inmate population voluntarily participates in leisure activities. Most programs involve a cooperative effort between the institution and outside organizations, suggesting administrators' willingness to make the best use of scarce resources. Almost half of the respondents indicated they have some form of evaluation procedure applied to their arts and athletic programs. When asked how effective the programs are in reducing inmate behavioral infractions, the average score was 3.42 on a 5-point scale. Tabular data from the survey are provided.