NCJ Number
56202
Journal
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CORRECTIONS Volume: 40 Issue: 4 Dated: (JULY-AUGUST 1978) Pages: 6-7,35
Date Published
1978
Length
3 pages
Annotation
PENNSYLVANIA'S 3-YEAR INTERAGENCY PROJECT TO HELP INCARCERATED VETERANS BY IMPROVING EDUCATION AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES IN PRISIONS IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THE PROJECT IS UNUSUAL IN THAT IT HAS BEEN A COOPERATIVE EFFORT ON THE PART OF THE STATE DEPARTMENTS OF EDUCATION, CORRECTIONS, AND MILITARY AFFAIRS, AND THE VETERANS' ADMINISTRATION. IN 1974, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THE PROGRAM TO ADVANCE VETERANS' EDUCATION (PAVE) AND ESTABLISHED THE OFFICE OF CORRECTION EDUCATION. THE CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT SURVEYED THE INMATE POPULATION TO IDENTIFY INMATE-VETERANS ELIGIBLE FOR GI BILL EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS. ABOUT HALF OF THE INMATE-VETERAN POPULATION ATTENDED PAVE-COORDINATED SEMINARS, AT WHICH THEY RECEIVED INFORMATION ON STATE AND FEDERAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES. ABOUT 40 PERCENT OF THE INMATES WHO ATTENDED THE SEMINARS SIGNED UP FOR COURSES, PRIMARILY VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCE PROGRAMS. CURRICULUM GUIDELINES FOR THESE PROGRAMS WERE DEVELOPED AND IMPLEMENTED, AND STATE APPROVAL FOR VETERANS' TRAINING WAS OBTAINED FOR 23 VOCATIONAL COURSES, 4 ADULT EDUCATION COURSES, AND 1 APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM. PAVE AND THE CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT DEVELOPED AND IMPLEMENTED PROCEDURES FOR CERTIFYING INMATE-VETERANS FOR GI BILL EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS AND FOR ADMINISTERING TUITION PAYMENT BY INMATE-VETERANS RECEIVING GI STIPENDS FOR COLLEGE-LEVEL PROGRAMS. IN THESE AND OTHER ACTIVITIES, THE PROJECT'S MAJOR PROBLEMS HAVE ARISEN FROM JURISDICTIONAL QUESTIONS AMONG THE COOPERATING AGENCIES AND FROM THE NEED TO IDENTIFY EDUCATIONAL SERVICES FROM WHICH INMATE-VETERANS COULD REALISTICALLY BE EXPECTED TO BENEFIT. IN PART BECAUSE OF THE NETWORK OF SUPPORT SERVICES AVAILABLE TO VETERANS, IT SEEMS REASONABLE TO ARGUE THAT INMATE-VETERANS AS A GROUP HAVE A RELATIVELY HIGH POTENTIAL FOR REHABILITATION. (LKM)