U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

Teaching Inmates in Small Jails: Teacher Reactions

NCJ Number
107579
Journal
Journal of Correctional Education Volume: 38 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1987) Pages: 114-118
Author(s)
A Bosma
Date Published
1987
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Dramatically fewer inmates in small county jails are exposed to educational programs than inmates in larger correctional centers or penitentiaries.
Abstract
Inadequate physical facilities, excessive inmate turnover, staff and inmate attitudes have often been assumed to be barriers to educational and other programs in jails. Recently, under a new project, eight teachers were assigned to teach a range of academic subjects to inmates of eight small maximum security jails. (For the purpose of this report a small jail is defined as having a total inmate capacity of 110 inmates or less). A single teacher was assigned to each of the eight facilities on a full-time basis. Teachers were subsequently surveyed with regard to the potential barriers identified above. Unexpectedly, many teachers' reactions are in conflict with the established reputation of small county jails as being unable to accommodate socialization programs. (Author abstract)