NCJ Number
46310
Date Published
1977
Length
132 pages
Annotation
THIS PERFORMANCE AUDIT OF THE PRISON EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAM, ADULT CORRECTIONS DIVISION, OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON, IS BASED ON INTERVIEWS AND SITE VISITS TO OBSERVE CLASSES AND FACILITIES.
Abstract
THE EVALUATION FINDS THAT THE STATEWIDE PROGRAM SUFFERS FROM A GENERAL LACK OF GOALS AND OBJECTIVES. IT RECOMMENDS THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF MARKETABLE SKILLS AND THE BASIC EDUCATION OF PRISONERS TO HIGH SCHOOL OR EQUIVALENCY LEVEL BE FORMALLY ESTABLISHED AS A PRIMARY GOAL. IT ALSO SUGGESTS THAT GREATER EFFORTS BE MADE TO FIND APPROPRIATE VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS BUT THAT NONE OF THE ADULT CORRECTIONS FUNDS BE SPENT ON COLLEGE-LEVEL COURSES NOT CLEARLY RELATED TO A SHORT-TERM AND REALISTIC VOCATIONAL GOAL. ACADEMIC COURSES SHOULD BE OFFERED ONLY ON A TUITION BASIS DURING THE CONVICT'S FREE TIME. THE EDUCATIONAL SPECIALIST IN THE ADULT CORRECTIONS DIVISION EXERCISES GREAT INFLUENCE BUT HAS NO DIRECT AUTHORITY OVER LOCAL PROGRAMS, WHICH ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF INDIVIDUAL INSTITUTION SUPERINTENDENTS. AT THE PURDY AND SHELTON FACILITIES, THE DIRECTORS OF EDUCATION ARE EMPLOYEES OF CONTRACTORS (COMMUNITY COLLEGES OR THE LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEM). THEY REPORT DIRECTLY TO THE SUPERINTENDENT. COORDINATION IS GOOD, AND MORALE IS HIGH. AT MONROE AND WALLA WALLA, THE DIRECTORS OF EDUCATION ARE EMPLOYEES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES WHO REPORT TO THE ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT FOR TREATMENT. MONROE HAS MANY EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROBLEMS RESULTING FROM ADMINISTRATION AND INMATE FACTORS. THE WALLA WALLA PRISON LACKS CLEAR LINES OF AUTHORITY. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT STEPS BE TAKEN TO ESTABLISH PRIORITIES, ENCOURAGE INMAGE PARTICIPATION, AND UPGRADE THE QUALITY OF THE PROGRAMS THROUGH USE OF CONTRACTOR EDUCATIONAL PERSONNEL. THE BULK OF THE EVALUATION DOCUMENT PRESENTS THE DATA COLLECTED BY QUESTIONNAIRES AND SITE VISITS, PROPOSALS FOR LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION, AND A FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT OF PROPOSED CHANGES. THE LEGISLATION WOULD EMPOWER THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE TO DRAFT GUIDELINES FOR PRISON EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMS, IF DESIRED. (GLR)