Correctional Education: Perspectives on Programs for Adult Offenders. Information Series No. 310.

Overview & Synopsis

The chapters of this monograph review some of the major concerns in correctional education. In "Observations on Correctional Education," Bruce I. Wolford sketches some of the problems hampering correctional educators, particularly the difficulties of serving the large illiterate and functionally illiterate populations. Osa D. Coffey's chapter on "Trends in the Administration of Correctional Education" focuses on the state adult correctional systems and various administrative models, especially the correctional school district model. Five crucial factors in effective programs are identified. "Equity and Legal Issues in Correctional Education" by Paul Moke discusses inmates' right to treatment, freedom from illegal conditions of confinement, equity for females, educational access for special populations, and constitutional and statutory duties of correctional educators. In "The Learning Handicapped Adult Offender," Robert B. Rutherford, Jr., and C. Michael Nelson address the legal mandate for serving this population, prevalence of handicapping conditions, and components of effective programs. In the fourth chapter, John W. Waidley focuses on "Vocational Education, Industries, and Career Education in Corrections." Societal beliefs regarding work and its ability to "cure" criminals and prevent recidivism are examined. Finally, "Postsecondary Correctional Education" by John F. Littlefield investigates the relatively new development of postsecondary programs for incarcerated populations. An eight-page list of references concludes the document. (SK)