NCJ Number
68789
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 23 Issue: 3 Dated: (1979) Pages: 240-243
Date Published
1979
Length
4 pages
Annotation
A BRITISH PROBATION OFFICE IS TACKLING THE PROBLEM OF OFFENDER ILLITERACY THROUGH A HIGHLY FLEXIBLE BASIC EDUCATION PROJECT IN WHICH TUTORS ARE TRAINED TO COPE WITH A WIDE VARIETY OF PROBLEMS.
Abstract
THE FUNCTIONAL ILLITERACY RATE OF OFFENDERS IS VERY HIGH, A PROBLEM THAT OFTEN HINDERS REHABILITATION. THE BEDFORDSHIRE PROBATION AND AFTER CARE SERVICE BASIC EDUCATION PROJECT WAS ESTABLISHED FOR CLIENTS WHO DO NOT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES IN THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE OF THEIR FEELINGS OF ALIENATION. THE PROJECT USES THE ILLITERATES' OWN LANGUAGE TO TEACH THEM. STARTING WITH DISCUSSION GROUPS WHERE PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THINGS RELEVANT TO THEIR WAY OF LIFE AND CULTURE, THEIR WORDS AND CONCEPTS ARE USED TO ILLUSTRATE THE USE OF LANGUAGE IN COMMUNICATING IDEAS. IN DISCUSSING THOSE THINGS RELEVANT TO THEM, AND HOW WHAT THEY DO AFFECTS OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY, THE CONCEPT THAT THEY ARE AS MUCH PART OF THE CULTURE AS THOSE IN AUTHORITY IS LEARNED. THE FACILITY AT THE PROBATION OFFICE IS NOT PART OF THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM. ALL LESSONS ARE HELD AT THE PROBATION OFFICE, WHICH IS EXTREMELY CONVENIENT FOR OFFICERS INTRODUCING THE PROJECT TO OFFENDERS. LESSONS ARE AVAILABLE ALL DAY SO THAT STUDENTS CAN PLAN THEIR ATTENDANCE. TUTORS ATTEND FOR BLOCK PERIODS RATHER THAN BEING ALLOCATED A SINGLE STUDENT AT A SPECIFIC TIME. THUS, EACH STUDENT'S PROGRESS AND COMPLETED WORK ARE KEPT ON FILE IN ORDER TO KEEP THE TUTORS ABREAST OF THE STUDENTS' DEVELOPMENT. IN 1978, 61 CLIENTS WERE REFERRED TO THE PROJECT, REPRESENTING ABOUT 5 PERCENT OF THE OFFENDER CASE LOAD. IN THE FIRST 4 MONTHS OF 1979, 19 CLIENTS WERE REFERRED, WHICH INDICATES A FAVORABLE RESPONSE, TO THE PROJECT. THREE REFERENCES ARE LISTED.