NCJ Number
80030
Journal
Prison Journal Volume: 61 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring/Summer 1981) Pages: 36-42
Date Published
1981
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Based on 2 years of research and program development in a small rural Texas county jail, difficulties encountered while developing a rehabilitation program for small jail facilities are discussed, and support for the use of argot in rehabilitation programs is presented.
Abstract
Excluding the insignificant number of one-night residents, the average length of stay for jail inmates involved in the study exceeded 10 weeks. This is sufficient time to warrant educational and rehabilitative services. A comprehensive educational and rehabilitation program should be instituted on a statewide or even a national level. Such an approach would address the problem of prisoner transfers, cut costs of materials production, and eliminate duplication of services. Educational and rehabilitation materials should be written in daily self-contained units to combat the problem of prisoner transfers. Educational centers should be part of all jail facilities; such centers should be equipped with audiovisual equipment and programmed lesson plans. Course materials should give priority to helping the inmate devise a strategy for avoiding the pitfalls of the street world to which he/she will return. Materials should use the argot of the 'street' subculture so inmates will understand and relate to the material presented. An example of a lesson on drug use, employing argot, is provided. A bibliography with 11 listings is provided. (Author summary modified)