NCJ Number
210705
Journal
Journal of Correctional Education Volume: 56 Issue: 2 Dated: June 2005 Pages: 90-95
Date Published
June 2005
Length
6 pages
Annotation
After describing the Federal grant program entitled "Life Skills for State and Local Prisoners Program" (LSP), sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, this article explains the grant application process and reports on an analysis of the projects completed between 1997 and 2000.
Abstract
The enabling legislation for the LSP provides examples of "life skills" rather than defining it. "Life skills" consists of features such as self-development, communication skills, job and financial skills development, education, interpersonal and family relationship development, and stress and anger management. The grant programs that have developed under this legislation have tended to use a holistic approach that combines a number of strategies, including cognitive skills instruction, academic remediation, occupational instruction, and instruction in practical skills for the management of daily living. LSP grants are competitively awarded to State correctional institutions and locally operated correctional centers. This article briefly describes the grant application and review process, followed by an overview of Alice Tracy's analysis of the final reports of 11 LSP projects completed between 1997 and 2000 (5 State prison programs and 6 in locally operated facilities). One of her primary conclusions is that successful LSPs first assess the needs of the target population and then design a program to meet those needs. Meeting inmates' needs requires that programs be holistic in scope, because inmates' needs are many and varied. She advises that programs should address not only academic and vocational needs but also personal problems that range from domestic violence to substance abuse. Further, prerelease planning and postrelease support for reintegration efforts are critical in a successful transition into the community after release. Tracy's analysis also critiques these programs' evaluation efforts, which have generally failed to conform with accepted scientifically valid experimental design.