NCJ Number
130860
Journal
Journal of Correctional Education Volume: 42 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1991) Pages: 26-30
Date Published
1991
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This paper shows how the Habilitation Unit for Developmentally Disabled Offenders, a South Carolina Department of Corrections program, utilizes a best practices approach in the operation of its three functional program areas of special education, work activity, and social work.
Abstract
The best practice approach for an effective correctional special education program includes six components: functional assessments, functional curriculum, vocational special education, transitional programs, comprehensive systems, and correctional special education training. The Habilitation Unit is both a centralized departmental program of the South Carolina Department of Corrections and a functional unit of Stevenson Correctional Institution. It was initiated in 1975 as a special learning unit, is the oldest program of its type in United States, and is recognized as a model program by the National Institute of Corrections. The unit's two primary objectives are assessment and treatment and includes comprehensive diagnostic and evaluation services for inmates suspected of being developmentally disabled and long term treatment services for those inmates so identified. How the program actually works and examples of its services are presented. 1 appendix and 9 references (Author abstract modified)