NCJ Number
100271
Journal
Journal of Correctional Education Volume: 36 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1985) Pages: 140-146
Date Published
1985
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Correctional education (CE) and prison reform overlap -- both are concerned with reforming prisons and prisoners.
Abstract
Historically, correctional education is more closely allied with prison reform and progressive corrections management than with traditional institution management. The central issues that separate these two types of management are their purposes and strategies. Progressive management's purpose is to develop better citizens; traditional management's purpose is to develop better inmates. Strategies reflect purposes. The two types of management diverge on the provision of structured opportunities for inmates to fail. Such opportunities are necessary to help inmates resist temptation, as preparation for life in the free community after release. Progressive corrections management provides more structured opportunities for inmate failure than traditional institution management, more opportunities to develop internalized responsibility. Since correctional educators are concerned about preparing inmates for successful life in the free community and developing student responsibility, the supportive relationship with prison reform and progressive corrections management is grounded in a mutual purpose and parallel strategies. The lives of the great prison reformers bear testimony to this CE/prison reform link. (Author abstract modifed)