NCJ Number
95898
Date Published
1983
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This 1982 case study of San Diego County's detention facilities demonstrates that severe budget reductions and the shift to a theory of control away from rehabilitation had led to a reduction in education programs.
Abstract
Two different public agencies are responsible for adult corrections in San Diego County: the Probation Department administers five minimum-security camps and the Sheriff's Department administers four maximum-security jails. The Sheriff's Department facilities for men provide a formal GED program that is well attended at three facilities and closed circuit educational television programming at one facility. The budget cuts, however, have reduced the correctional counseling staff and given it additional responsibilities along with education programs. Education classes have been severely diminished in women's facilities. An informal education system exists in both men's and women's detention facilities through kitchen work assignments, sewing projects, and volunteer efforts. Since 1980, the Probation Department has moved philosophically from rehabilitation to security. Only one of their facilities has a formal education program, while the others have work programs. The two firefighter camps run by the Probation Department do provide a 2-week training session in firefighting run by the Forestry Department. Because of short staffing, administrators of all facilities are far more open to volunteer assistance than before. The situation in San Diego's detention facilities represents a microcosm of the current status of correctional education across the country. Seven references are included.