Teaching Strategies for the Self-Actualized Correctional Educator: The Inside Person vs. the Outside Person

• NCJ Number: 218496
• Journal: Journal of Correctional Education Volume: 58 Issue: 1 Dated: March 2007 Pages: 27-41
• Author(s): Dennis Zaro
• Date Published: March 2007
• Length: 15 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article is one in a sequence of articles appearing in this journal that provide teaching strategies for correctional educators; this article focuses on development of cognitive skills.

Abstract

The article focuses on the development of four main cognitive skills using the analogy of the “inside” versus the “outside” person: (1) responsibility, (2) controlling impulsiveness, (3) anger management, and (4) empathy. Deficits in these skills have been considered a risk factor for a criminal lifestyle. The author outlines background information, learning activities, and suggestions for essay topics and journal discussions for each of the four main cognitive skills. For example, in the section on responsibility, the author points out in the background information section that research has revealed that a criminal lifestyle lacks self-awareness and personal insight. The learning activity section describes a classroom activity that uses a pinball machine as an analogy for teaching personal responsibility. Suggestions for journal writing and essays include the topic of change, in which participants are encouraged to think about the things in their lives they have the power to change. Under the topic of anger management, the background information section presents research showing that impulsivity is a significant predictor for criminal involvement. The learning activity section suggests a hypothetical classroom role play while suggestions for essays and journal discussions include encouraging participants to consider how they may have reacted less emotionally in a past situation. At the conclusion of the sections on the development of cognitive skills, instructors are encouraged to ask participants two questions: “(1) who has a better chance of making it on parole or probation--The Inside or the Outside Person? And (2) what kind of person do you want to be?” References