NCJ Number
59806
Date Published
1978
Length
13 pages
Annotation
AMERICA'S FIRST PENITENTIARY HOUSED A SCHOOL AND SINCE THAT TIME RELIGION REFORMERS, SOCIAL REFORMERS, AND EDUCATORS HAVE ALL TRIED TO ESTABLISH INMATE EDUCATION PROGRAMS. THE HISTORY OF THIS MOVEMENT IS TRACED.
Abstract
IN THE LATE 1700'S PHILADELPHIA OPENED THE WALNUT STREET JAIL. IN 1978 IT AUGMENTED SHOP WORK WITH A MODEST SCHOOL WHICH BOASTED BOOKS, DESKS, AND LECTURERS. IN 1801 NEW YORK OFFERED ELEMENTARY EDUCATION TO MERITORIOUS CONVICTS WHILE IN 1825 THE BOSTON PRISON DISCIPLINE SOCIETY ESTABLISHED A SYSTEM OF SUNDAY SCHOOLS WHICH OFFERED BOTH RELIGIOUS AND SECULAR INSTRUCTION. PRISON EDUCATION HAS LONG BEEN THE VICTIM OF TIGHT BUDGETS AND 'SCHOOLS' OFTEN CONSISTED OF THE CHAPLAIN STANDING IN A DARK CORRIDOR WITH A LANTERN HANGING FROM THE CELL BARS. IN 1860'S PRISON LIBRARIES BEGAN, OFTEN UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE CHAPLAIN, WHILE THE 1870'S BROUGHT CLASSROOMS AND TEACHERS. THE MODERN ERA OF PRISON EDUCATION BEGAN IN 1929 WHEN A STUDY FOUND THAT 13 OUT OF 60 PRISONS HAD NO EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM AND NONE HAD SUITABLE VOCATIONAL EDUCATION. TODAY FUNDING IS STILL A PROBLEM AND MANY PRISONS OFFER LITTLE EDUCATION. HOWEVER, OTHERS HAVE EXTREMELY INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS. HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE THE LITERACY PROGRAMS OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS AND THE OHIO STATE REFORMATORY, THE PROGRAM FOR JUVENILES OF THE NASSAU, N.Y., COUNTY JAIL, THE HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM OF THE BARTOW ROAD PRISON, FLA., THE PACE INSTITUTE OF THE COOK COUNTY, ILL., JAIL, THE COLLEGE PROGRAMS OF TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND THE OREGON STATE PRISONS HISTORY CONTAINS MANY QUOTATIONS AND ANECDOTES, DOCUMENTED BY EXTENSIVE REFERENCES. (GLR)