NCJ Number
116837
Journal
Prosecutor Volume: 21 Issue: 4 Dated: (Spring 1988) Pages: 16-18
Date Published
1988
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article describes Florida's State Attorney Literacy Enhancement Program, emphasizing how it can break the cycle of illiteracy, unemployment, and criminal behavior.
Abstract
The program, started in 1988, offers a select group of defendants the opportunity to escape prosecution by completing a high school equivalency course. The program's five components are described, beginning with the recruitment process. The second component, mentorship, recruits civic and business community leaders to guide and counsel offenders selected for the program. The third component, orientation, takes place on the campus of Florida Community College at Jacksonville for two weeks and helps offenders learn how to take tests and prepare for job interviews. Component four, academic preparation for the high school equivalency exam, is designed to fit the learning needs of the offenders. Offenders meeting eligibility requirements can receive financial assistance for transportation and text books as well as child care. The fifth component of the program provides job placement. The article concludes that the program will have long-term beneficial effects even if only a small percentage of those who participate in the program are academically successful.