The program is paid for by State adult education funds. Course offerings include adult basic education; general equivalency diploma preparation and examinations; health education, including family planning and parenting skills; physical fitness; art; creative writing; employability; firefighting; computer literacy and repair; desktop publishing; landscaping; masonry; building and drafting; food services; baking; and speech. Inmates also may take lower division college courses or participate in an emergency medical technician certification program. Under a liberal school time policy, inmates receive a 1-day credit for every 15 hours of participation in the program for a maximum of 5 days per month. This policy motivates inmates to enroll in course and helps reduce overcrowding by facilitating early release. The star of the program is DEUCE (drinking, education, understanding, counseling, and evaluation), a voluntary alcohol and substance abuse program designed to reduce recidivism among drunk drivers and poly-addicted persons. DEUCE participants are housed separately during participation in a three-phase, 90-day program. Phase 1 examines alcohol addiction, denial systems, drug effects, and recovery. Phase 2 covers drinking in the family of origin and the effects of drinking on family relationships, employment, and society. Inmates are encouraged to participate in relationship and family counseling and are permitted to participate in other courses or hold jobs. In Phase 3, inmates submit action plans for re-entry and may be given passes for community activities. Photographs.
Contra Costa County, California, Jail School Program
NCJ Number
112610
Journal
American Jails Volume: 2 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1988) Pages: 30,32,34-35
Date Published
1988
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The Contra Costa County, Calif., jail school program provides educational services to inmates at three County facilities through the County Office of Education.
Abstract