NCJ Number
133711
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 53 Issue: 7 Dated: (December 1991) Pages: 68-71
Date Published
1991
Length
4 pages
Annotation
According to statistics on prison populations, all States have at least two major cultural groups within their prison; corrections departments therefore need to provide their staff with some sort of multicultural training. The New Mexico Corrections Training Academy curriculum devotes many hours to issues related to ethnic groups and minorities.
Abstract
A course on the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission regulations explains issues related to Federal and State employment laws, while a course on minority relations introduces corrections officers to the history of ethnic relations in America. Participants role play to examine the results of stereotyping and to find ways to combat prejudice. Other relevant courses offered at the Academy include interpersonal communications and crisis intervention. Because so many New Mexican inmates are Hispanic, corrections officers are offered a course describing Hispanic cultural values, how these are manifested in inmate behavior, and the implications of such behaviors for correctional staff. The program is supplemented with material concerning Spanish language development and inmate slang. The same type of lesson has been developed in regard to black inmates. The curriculum for probation and parole officers focuses on cultural influences that affect offenders in the community and the special problems faced by clients due to their ethnicity. Correctional programming must also reflect multicultural awareness by providing constructive outlets for cultural expression. 6 references