NCJ Number
39173
Date Published
1976
Length
64 pages
Annotation
THIS PAPER EXPLORES EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR WOMEN INCARCERATED IN STATE INSTITUTIONS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES.
Abstract
DATA FOR THE STUDY WERE OBTAINED THROUGH RESPONSES TO A CLOSE-ENDED QUESTIONNAIRE MAILED DIRECTLY TO ALL PENAL INSTITUTIONS HOUSING MORE THAN 5 WOMEN, 16 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER. THIRTY-NINE OF THE FORTY-FIVE STATES WITH AT LEAST ONE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION FOR WOMEN FILLED OUT AND RETURNED THE QUESTIONNAIRE. TRAINING PROGRAMS OFFERED BY THE RESPONDING INSTITUTIONS FELL INTO TWO CATEGORIES - EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL. THESE ARE FURTHER DIVIDED INTO CLERICAL, COSMETOLOGY, SECRETARIAL, NURSING, SEWING, FOOD SERVICES, AND OTHERS RANGING FROM WIG-STYLING TO ELECTRONICS. THE AUTHOR FOUND THAT JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR INCARCERATED WOMEN HAVE BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 YEARS AND HAVE FOCUSED ON TEACHING SKILLS NECESSARY FOR TRADITIONAL WOMEN'S JOBS. SHE ALSO FOUND THAT THESE PROGRAMS HAVE FAILED TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM AMONG PARTICIPANTS. SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVING THESE PROGRAMS ARE SET FORTH. THE MODEL PROGRAM AT THE MASSACHUSETTS CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION AT FRAMINGHAM WHICH OFFERS REALISTIC ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATED WOMEN AND HELPS THEM TO EXPLORE AND IMPLEMENT A CAREER PLAN IS OUTLINED. SURVEY FORMS AND RESPONSES FROM THREE FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS FOR WOMEN ARE APPENDED....EB