NCJ Number
56231
Date Published
1977
Length
58 pages
Annotation
THE SURVEYS, REPORTS, PROGRAMS, AND MODELS DISCUSSED IN THIS REVIEW ALL EMPHASIZE THAT VOCATIONAL EDUCATION FOR OFFENDERS MUST BE MUCH MORE THAN JOB TRAINING AND HAS MANY PURPOSES BEYOND THAT OF SIMPLE EDUCATION.
Abstract
INFORMATION FROM A NUMBER OF STUDIES AND DATA BASES IS USED TO DEVELOP THIS PICTURE OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION IN PRISONS AND CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS. VOCATIONAL EDUCATION FOR OFFENDERS MUST ENCOMPASS REMEDIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS, PREPARATION FOR HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY EXAMINATIONS, POSTSECONDARY TRAINING, AND SOME COLLEGE-LEVEL TRAINING. THIS RANGE OF NEEDS ALONE WOULD MAKE THE PROVISION OF EDUCATIONAL SERVICES DIFFICULT. IN ADDITION, VOCATIONAL EDUCATION IS EXPECTED TO DEFUSE THE PSYCHOLOGY OF RETRIBUTION WHICH PREVAILS IN THE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION. THE BATTELLE SURVEY FOUND THAT 40 PERCENT OF FEDERAL AND STATE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS HAD A COORDINATOR FOR VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND JOB PLACEMENT; LESS THAN 50 PERCENT HAD ORGANIZED FOLLOW UP PROCEDURES; AND MOST HAD NO COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT (CALLED ESSENTIAL FOR EFFECTIVE JOB PLACEMENT). THE LEHIGH UNIVERSITY STUDY FOUND SIMILAR PROBLEMS IN THE REMEDIAL EDUCATION AND HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA PROGRAMS. A NUMBER OF OTHER STUDIES AND WORKSHOP PROCEEDINGS ARE EXAMINED TO IDENTIFY WEAKNESSES IN EXISTING PROGRAMS. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT VOCATIONAL EDUCATION SUFFERS DUE TO CONFLICTS BETWEEN CUSTODIAL AND TREATMENT ASPECTS OF PRISON LIFE. GOALS NEED TO BE ESTABLISHED. LEADERSHIP FROM THE TOP IS NEEDED. GOOD TEACHERS AND EQUIPMENT ARE ESSENTIAL. GENUINE EFFORTS NEED TO BE MADE TO PLACE RELEASED OFFENDERS IN SUITABLE JOBS. CONDITIONS NECESSARY FOR SUCH A APPROACH ARE BRIEFLY REVIEWED. TWO BIBLIOGRAPHIES ARE APPENDED, A LIST OF PRIMARY REFERENCES FOR THIS REPORT, AND A LIST OF ADDITIONAL REFERENCES. (GLR)