NCJ Number
43717
Date Published
1977
Length
18 pages
Annotation
A REVIEW OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE (DHEW) ROLE IN CORRECTIONS EDUCATION IS SUMMARIZED, AND POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS ARE OFFERED.
Abstract
THE OFFICIAL DHEW POSITION HAS BEEN THAT CORRECTIONS EDUCATION, AS A TOOL OF REHABILITATION, IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE ADMINISTRATION (LEAA). ALTHOUGH THE POLICY OF THE NIXON AND FORD ADMINISTRATIONS WAS TO CONCENTRATE ALL CORRECTIONS ACTIVITIES IN LEAA, DHEW WAS UNABLE TO WITHDRAW COMPLETELY FROM THE FIELD. DHEW SPENT AN ESTIMATED $72 MILLION OF THE TOTAL $119 MILLION SPENT BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ON CORRECTIONS EDUCATION IN FISCAL YEAR 1975. IT IS NOTED THAT THE DHEW POSITION IS OUT OF STEP WITH THE CONCEPT OF EDUCATION FOR ITS OWN SAKE AS A MEANS OF ADDRESSING THE SEVERE EDUCATIONAL DISADVANTAGES FOUND IN PRISON POPULATIONS. THE POSITION IS ALSO INCONSISTENT WITH THE OVERALL DHEW OBJECTIVE OF INSURING EDUCATIONAL EQUALITY FOR ALL CITIZENS. IN ADDITION, THE LACK OF OVERALL POLICY AND ADMINISTRATIVE ATTENTION TO CORRECTIONS EDUCATION HAS RESULTED IN DIFFERENT DHEW PROGRAMS WORKING AT CROSS PURPOSES. FACTORS INDICATING A GROWING NEED FOR AN ACTIVE DHEW ROLE IN CORRECTIONS EDUCATION ARE NOTED. AREAS IN WHICH CORRECTIONS EDUCATION PRIORITIES AND PROGRAM EMPHASIS SHOULD BE CONCENTRATED ARE IDENTIFIED. POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS ARE OFFERED RELATIVE TO REDEFINING THE FEDERAL ROLE IN CORRECTIONS EDUCATION TO REFLECT BOTH DHEW'S EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES AND LEAA'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE OBJECTIVES.