A Review of Corrections Education Policy for the Department of Health, Education & Welfare. Final Report.

Overview & Synopsis

The study described here was undertaken to develop a comprehensive description of corrections education programs in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) and to make recommendations regarding their purposes and operations including their relation to other Federal corrections programs. Presentation is in five sections: An overview of corrections education, Federal coordinating efforts, Federal corrections education programs, and findings and recommendations. A historical review indicates the changing perception of the criminal from sinner to socially disadvantaged. A literature review is summarized which revealed that the tendency to declare that no rehabilitation programs work is inaccurate. Key legislation under which Federally funded corrections education programs are implemented is described, and Federal program coordinating efforts through agencies in the Departments of Labor, Justice, and HEW are outlined. Data are presented for the types and number of inmates involved in corrections education programs in adult basic education, adult secondary education, vocational/occupational education, social education, and postsecondary education. A discussion of the need for corrections education policy and coordination including the role of HEW comprise the last section. The recommendations presented focus on the need for the Federal role being defined according to both national educational objectives and national criminal justice objectives. The establishment of a representative of corrections education within the Office of the Secretary, HEW, to represent the interests of the corrections clientele, is suggested. (MF)