NCJ Number
219519
Journal
Journal of Correctional Education Volume: 58 Issue: 2 Dated: June 2007 Pages: 145-156
Date Published
June 2007
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This study explored the educational background of the total inmate population in Norway.
Abstract
Results indicate that the general inmate population in Norway has a lower educational level than the general public. Specifically, inmates in Norway in 2006 had an educational background that was comparable to the educational level of the general population nearly 25 years ago. The percentage of prison inmates reporting primary and lower secondary education as their highest level of educational attainment was almost double that of the general population. The percentage of inmates reporting completion of upper secondary education was highest among older inmates. Nearly one-third of inmates reported completing vocational education, although the percentage was lowest among the youngest inmates. Future research should focus on the diversity of educational needs among prison inmates. Participants were the 3,289 inmates serving time in Norwegian prisons during February 2006, the time of data collection. Participants completed surveys regarding their demographic characteristics and educational background. Resulting data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Tables, references