NCJ Number
136765
Journal
Journal of Correctional Education Volume: 43 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1992) Pages: 52-56
Date Published
1992
Length
5 pages
Annotation
In a random sample of 220 male inmates taken at New York State's Sing Sing maximum security correctional facility, reasons were explored to determine why school dropouts, who comprise 79 percent of the prison population in New York State, and school graduates, who comprise the remaining 21 percent, attend school in prison and to what extent.
Abstract
Findings demonstrate that about 85 percent of the school dropouts in this sample attended school in prison and more than half acquired a high school equivalency diploma in prison. About one-third of the dropouts attended college to some extent while in prison. Graduates primarily attended the college program, but vocational training was popular with both groups. Inmates spent, on average, about one-fifth of their incarcerated time enrolled in an academic and/or vocational program. All ethnic groups participated equally. Many inmates commented that the education they received in prison was something they had passed up in regular school and felt that their educational and/or vocational training would make a difference in their lives. The primary reasons given for going to school in prison were to better themselves, to take the GED exam, and to get a good job when released. 8 tables, 1 note, and 18 references (Author abstract)