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Impact of Immigration and Americanization on Correctional Education

NCJ Number
156193
Journal
Journal of Correctional Education Volume: 46 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1995) Pages: 48-51
Author(s)
C Eggleston
Date Published
1995
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the impact of immigration in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries on American correctional policy, particularly that pertaining to correctional education.
Abstract
There were several efforts directed at solving the problems associated with immigration and increasing crime. The most widespread solution was education as a method of enhancing the abilities of immigrant children and adults. The public school function become a combination of perpetuating American culture, providing comprehensive education, and offering moral guidance to immigrant children. This effort also led to the development of the reform school at the end of the 19th Century. The children of poor, minority, and immigrant parents were a particular challenge to the public school system, and were often sent to reform school, which had compulsory education requirements even prior to those in the public schools. Arriving immigrant groups found themselves represented in prison populations in direct relation to the period of their arrival; each immigrant group was considered to be the most criminal and intellectually retarded until the next group arrived. Educational programs in prisons were designed to help inmates adjust to modern American society. 22 references