Responses from 44 of 51 state directors of correctional education indicated that access, quality, success, and state commitment in postsecondary educational programs for inmates significantly decreased after the elimination of Pell Grant eligibility. The future condition of postsecondary correctional education may not be significantly different.…

A series of studies tracked postprison employment and recidivism of 32,020 Texas inmates. Those with the highest education were more likely to employed with higher wages and less recidivism. Nonreader property offender who learned to read had larger declines in recidivism and better employment outcomes than General Educational Development…

Data from 2,068 Indiana inmates who took the General Educational Development (GED) practice and final tests between 1988-2000 were analyzed. All six practice tests correlated with performance on the GED test. Most accurate were the FF battery (for writing skills), CC (for social studies), BB (for science), EE (for interpreting literature and…

In Delaware, graduate student interns facilitate parenting programs for incarcerated fathers. Surveys indicated that participating inmates found them beneficial and increased their knowledge of parenting. Many moved toward more positive discipline. A longer time frame might produce more significant change. (SK)

Pre- and posttest scores on a national standardized test were compared for regional campus students and inmate students in economic courses. No significant performance differences were found, suggesting that inmates are developing thinking skills for effective decision making through the study of economics. (SK)

Given changing demographics and the increase in female inmates, correctional rehabilitation practitioners should attempt to understand inmates' world views and analyze their own. Development of coping and social skills through rehabilitation would be enhanced in therapeutic environments that are responsive to inmate world views. (SK)

Studies of inmates participating in the technology education program offered at the New Hampshire State Prison show that those who complete the program have a lower rate of recidivism than those who do not, ranging from as low as 10% for completers to as high as 70% for noncompleters. (JOW)

Prison inmates (n=72) were screened for scotopic sensitivity syndrome (SSS), a visual perceptual dysfunction; 11% had low levels of SSS, 18.1% moderate, and 79.8% high, compared with 12-14% of the general population. Remedial colored overlays improved reading considerably for 55.6%, moderately for 33.3%. (SK)

Argues that the medical model and the current cognitive model in corrections are based on a subject-object relationship between keepers and prisoners. Suggests approaches to correctional rehabilitation that facilitate transformations in prisoners' lives by relating to them as subjects rather than as objects. (JOW)

Over 18 weeks, nine female offenders worked in a collaborative learning circle with process-based writing (prewriting, drafting, sharing, revising, editing, proofreading, publishing). Most showed a significant increase in self-esteem. (SK)

In a comparison of performance in a business management course by on-campus and incarcerated students (the latter taught via interactive television), prisoners outperformed both U.S. and international on-campus students. Results may support the argument that elimination of Pell Grants for prisoners was shortsighted. (SK)

Explores the philosophy in the Council of Europe's European Prison Rules and a report advocating a transformative adult education orientation in corrections. Contrasts this perspective with current Anglo-American penal policy, in which negative stereotypes, vengeful attitudes, and massive increases in incarceration are inimical to genuine…

The model of critical thinking in the Army Staff Study guide involves the following processes: schema, focus, pattern, extension, projection, and metacognition. It is adaptable to teaching in correctional settings. (SK)

Federal prisons have begun holding job fairs for inmates close to being released. Texas prisons have successfully used job fairs to assess inmates' interviewing skills, provide assistance with job placement, and offer interviews with company recruiters. (SK)

Predicted vs. actual recidivism of 119 high-risk offenders aged 20-29 who had completed postsecondary prison education was compared. Despite a low predicted success rate, they achieved higher grade point averages, acquired more postrelease education, and had less recidivism. Success factors included a culture of academic achievement and student…