GENERAL AND SOCIAL EDUCATION IN CORRECTIONAL TREATMENT (FROM CORRECTIONAL CLASSIFICATION AND TREATMENT - A READER, 1975, BY LEONARD J HIPPCHEN - SEE NCJ-32007)

• NCJ Number: 49128
• Author(s): G M KENDALL
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 9 pages
• Corporate Author: Anderson Publishing Co
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

GENERAL EDUCATION IS CRITIQUED BRIEFLY, AND SOCIAL EDUCATION, AS A MEANS OF DEALING WITH GENERAL LIFE PROBLEMS THROUGH INSTRUCTION AND DISCUSSION, IS DISCUSSED AT GREATER LENGTH.

Abstract

THE TEACHING OF BASIC LITERACY THROUGH GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES IS CONSIDERED INSUFFICIENT FOR MEETING THE NEEDS AND INTELLECTUAL LEVELS OF MOST INMATES. THE OPPORTUNITIES TO COMPLETE A HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM AND TAKE COLLEGE LEVEL COURSES ARE RECOMMENDED AS STANDARD OFFERINGS FOR A CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION. SOCIAL EDUCATION IS DEFINED AS 'ANY ORGANIZED ACTIVITY WHOSE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE IS TO IMPROVE INMATES' ATTITUDES TOWARD SOCIETY AND HELP THEM SOLVE THEIR PERSONALITY PROBLEMS.' SOCIAL EDUCATION FOCUSES ON THE INMATE'S ATTITUDES TOWARD FAMILY, WORK, RESPONSIBILITY IN THE COMMUNITY, USE OF LEISURE TIME, AND GOVERNMENT IT IS NOTED THAT THIS KIND OF EDUCATION HAS NOT DEVELOPED IN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS TO THE EXTENT THAT THE NEED FOR IT WOULD DEMAND. EXAMPLES OF CASES WHERE SOCIAL EDUCATION COULD HELP INMATES TO BETTER DEAL WITH THEIR LIFE SITUATIONS ARE PRESENTED. WHILE SOME ADVOCATE INCORPORATING SOCIAL EDUCATION INTO OTHER STANDARD COURSES, THE AUTHOR PREFERS A DIRECT APPROACH TO THE CHANGE OF INMATE ATTITUDES AND LIFE PHILOSOPHIES THROUGH STRUCTURED INSTRUCTION AND DISCUSSIONS. A SURVEY IS PROPOSED OF EXISTING SOCIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN CORRECTIONAL SYSTEMS, FOLLOWED BY THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MODEL PROGRAM FOR SOCIAL EDUCATION AND AN EVALUATION PROCEDURE FOR MEASURING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SUCH A PROGRAM. (RCB)