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No Comprendo: The Language Barrier in the Criminal Justice System

NCJ Number
127321
Journal
Corrections Compendium Volume: 10 Issue: 4 Dated: (October 1985) Pages: 6-9
Author(s)
S D Williams
Date Published
1985
Length
4 pages
Annotation
After reviewing problems encountered by inmates who speak only or mostly Spanish, this article outlines some programs to address this situation.
Abstract
The language barrier excludes Hispanics from many, if not all, of the correctional rehabilitation programs such as vocational education, counseling, and drug abuse rehabilitation. Hispanics and other inmates who speak only non-English languages also lack understanding of prison rules and criminal justice procedures. Bilingual inmates tend to prey on Spanish-speaking inmates, and prison staff tend to underestimate Hispanic inmates' abilities, since the inability to speak English is viewed as lack of mental capacity. Some attempts to remedy problems derived from the language barrier include the use of volunteer interpreters, the use of bilingual inmates as peer counselors, bilingual prison signs and rules, inmate classes in English as a Second Language, courses taught by bilingual instructors, a standardized curriculum guide for education programs that include Spanish, staff training in interaction with Hispanic inmates, and equipping correctional staff with a pocket-sized book entitled, "Conversational Spanish for Criminal Justice Workers." 4 resources for assistance in overcoming the language barrier

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