NCJ Number
76077
Journal
COMMUNITY COLLEGE FRONTIERS Volume: 8 Issue: 2 Dated: (Winter 1980) Pages: 21-24
Date Published
1980
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Problems and accomplishments of the experimental college program for inmates at the Georgia State Prison, which was begun in 1973, are discussed.
Abstract
The sponsoring institution for the program is South Georgia College, a 2-year college 60 miles from the prison. Since 1973, over 450 students have enrolled in the program. The selection process includes self-selection (the students apply for admission through the prison's director of training), prison selection based on behavior and academic promise, and college acceptance and testing. The program leads to an associate degree in one of three areas -- business, education, or social science. About 40 percent of the students choose business. The program is hampered by difficulties in student attitudes affected by hours of hard labor prior to attending class, the length of each class period (4 hours), the seasonal prison demands upon the student's time, and the lack of proper classroom facilities. Although discipline problems are uppermost in the minds of prison officials, inmate students are generally attentive and well-behaved. Most inmate-students are self-motivated, and classroom discussions are conducted on a frequently high level. Thus far, 32 inmates have graduated from South Georgia College's prison program. Such programs can play an important role in the process of rehabilitation. Photographs are included.