NCJ Number
77537
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 43 Issue: 3 Dated: (May/June 1981) Pages: 61-67,69
Date Published
1981
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Findings are reported from a resident survey of educational vocational needs of the women at the Dwight Vocational Center in Illinois.
Abstract
The goal of the survey was to obtain information upon which to base recommendations for programs that would develop skills relevant to the inmates' personal goals. A questionnaire survey was administered in March 1978 to the total population (289), 66 percent of whom were under 30 years of age. A total of 75 percent of the women were self-supporting and/or the sole supporter as head of their family. The questionnaire included items on demographic characteristics, attitudes toward educational and vocational programs, and work history. It also consisted of items designed to determine the proficiency of the respondents' daily survival skills and explored the respondents' vocational interests and academic interests. The survey has been continuously administered over the past 2 years to all residents entering the Dwight Correctional Center. The overall results and comparisons indicate little variance from the original results; however, the population is becoming younger and less literate (the first survey showed the women to have literacy level distribution similar to that found in the general population). About 50 percent have neither saleable skills nor prior job experience. Although a significant number of incarcerated women desire nontraditional training, results continue to indicate that the majority desire programming in those areas of work traditionally accessible to the female population at large. Twenty-one references are provided.