NCJ Number
176759
Journal
Journal of Correctional Education Volume: 49 Issue: 4 Dated: December 1998 Pages: 196-200
Date Published
1998
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This paper outlines how individual assessment of foreign inmates in Europe and North America should be based on labor market opportunities in their home countries and emphasizes the need for prison teachers to deepen their knowledge of other countries' socioeconomic conditions through networking with professionals in developing countries.
Abstract
The population of foreign inmates in European and North American prisons is increasing due to a decline in standards of living in most developing countries. This trend is likely to continue. Foreign inmates include both educated persons and uneducated persons. They have no resident permit in the countries in which they are incarcerated and are therefore deported to their own countries. Their common need is how to fit into their home country after a period in an overseas prison. However, ex-offenders are not allowed to take government-paid employment in a country such as Nigeria. Large companies and governments in all countries tend to be reluctant to employ ex-offenders. Their opportunities are in the informal private sector of small businesses. Most educational programs in European and North American prisons are designed to prepare inmates for labor market opportunities in their own regions. However, foreign inmates need preparation to establish and manage small businesses on their return home. The education departments in European and North American prisons need to form a network with people in developing countries to share experiences and develop a meaningful educational program to the foreign inmate. 13 references (Author abstract modified)