NCJ Number
127318
Journal
Journal of Correctional Education Volume: 36 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1985) Pages: 66-73
Date Published
1985
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This article reports the evaluation of a cognitive education course designed for inmates in Canadian Federal penitentiaries. It is based on the Instrumental Enrichment (I. E.) program based on the hypothesis that a link exists between cognitive deficits, primarily in information processing and problem solving, and criminality.
Abstract
The impact of the course was assessed by a pre-test and post-test design using comparison groups in the penitentiaries. Criterion tests for cognitive, intellectual and interpersonal skills were employed together with interviews, questionnaires, and instructor feedback reports. Comparison of test scores for participating inmates with scores of nonparticipants showed a greater overall improvement for participants in the course. Instructor reports demonstrated an improvement in communication and discussion of ideas and in thinking and problem solving by participating inmates. These results were substantiated by information from the inmates. The main criticism of the program reflects its lack of challenge. A high attrition rate and incomplete data sets prevent a statistical assessment of the impact of the program. 2 diagrams, 1 table, and 26 references (Author abstract modified)