NCJ Number
195614
Journal
Prison Journal Volume: 82 Issue: 2 Dated: June 2002 Pages: 269-280
Date Published
June 2002
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This study obtained data from inmates at three midwestern prisons to identify factors associated with preferences between work and education programs.
Abstract
A total of 196 inmates volunteered from the three institutions; 176 were men, and 23 were women. The ethnic mix consisted of 0.5 percent Asian, 25 percent African-American, 6 percent Hispanic, 7 percent Native American, and 62.5 percent Caucasian. The inmates ranged in age from 16 to 61. Fifty-six percent of the participants were classified as violent offenders, and 46 percent were nonviolent. Half had never been convicted of a felony before their current incarceration, and the other half had at least one or more convictions before their current incarceration. Data were obtained through structured and open-ended interviews that lasted approximately 10 minutes. The inmates' choices between participation in work or education programs depended on their motivation to improve their education beyond high school. To determine whether any factors were associated with their desire to improve themselves through these programs, each inmate was asked several questions concerning his/her attitude toward work, education, and a number of related issues. Areas of study focused on ranking the importance between type of job worked and amount of pay received and ranking the importance of working a prison job compared with attending post-high school education classes, as well as a number of other work and education-related choices. The independent variables of gender, race, age, and offense type revealed a number of significant differences regarding the choice of a particular activity. The study suggests that by understanding the characteristics and motivations of individual inmates to participate in a particular activity, the staff will more effectively use the programs to capacity. This will help prioritize qualifications for work and education classes, so those who are more likely to benefit will have the opportunity to participate. At a time when several activities are competing for the inmate's time, it is important to use those programs to the maximum extent and to minimize the inmate's idle time. Taken together, the findings from these interviews show that there are inmates who desire to improve their lives, those who value the type of job they perform, and those who would prefer skilled positions. There are also those who have no such inclinations. Further research should pursue the development of a screening instrument that could identify those who stand to gain the most from the limited resources allocated to correctional programs. 4 tables and 13 references