NCJ Number
65543
Journal
CORRECTION TODAY Volume: 42 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1980) Pages: 36-37,40-41
Date Published
1980
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THE REHABILITATIVE VALUES OF INMATE RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS ARE INDICATED, AND THE STRUCTURE FOR AN EFFECTIVE PRISON RECREATIONAL PROGRAM IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
RESEARCH HAS ADEQUATELY DOCUMENTED THAT RECREATION AND LEISURE-TIME EXPERIENCES HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL IMPACT ON ONE'S SELF-CONCEPT, SOCIALIZATION, AND SELF-EXPRESSION; HOWEVER, THIS DOCUMENTATION HAS NOT TYPICALLY BEEN TRANSFERRED INTO CORRECTIONS POLICY AND PRACTICE. AN EFFECTIVE PRISON RECREATION PROGRAM REQUIRES THAT AN INMATE BE INTERVIEWED AT INTAKE REGARDING RECREATIONAL AND LEISURE-TIME INTERESTS. AN IN-DEPTH INTERVIEW SHOULD BE CONDUCTED WITH EACH NEW INMATE BY THE PRISON'S RECREATIONAL DIRECTOR FOR THE PURPOSE OF CHANNELING THE INMATE INTO ACTIVITIES LIKELY TO BE THE MOST INTERESTING AND BENEFICIAL. INMATE AWARENESS OF RECREATIONAL OUTLETS MIGHT BE CULTIVATED IN INFORMAL DISCUSSION GROUPS THAT DEAL WITH THE SIGNIFICANCE OF LEISURE AND RECREATION, BARRIERS TO RECREATION PARTICIPATION, RECREATION ACTIVITIES AS A VOCATION, INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP LEISURE CHOICES, AND METHODS OF FULFILLING LEISURE INTERESTS. SPORTS ACTIVITIES SHOULD BE ORGANIZED AND TRAINING SHOULD BE PROVIDED FOR THE UNSKILLED. OTHER RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES PROVIDED AND SKILLS TAUGHT SHOULD BE SELECTED ON THE BASIS OF CARRYOVER VALUE INTO COMMUNITY LIFE. THESE MIGHT INCLUDE CAMPING, DANCING, TABLE GAMES, MUSIC, DRAMA, ART, WRITING, AND HOBBY CLUBS. OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN LEISURE ACTIVITIES IN THE COMMUNITY SHOULD BE PROVIDED INMATES, INCLUDING INTERACTION WITH COMMUNITY RESIDENTS. PLANS SHOULD BE MADE FOR REFERRAL AND FOLLOWUP IN THE AREA OF RECREATIONAL INTERESTS SHORTLY BEFORE AN INMATE IS TO BE RELEASED TO ENSURE THAT POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS THAT HAVE OCCURRED IN PRISON ARE NOT LOST UPON RETURNING TO THE COMMUNITY. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)