2 schools of thought regarding incarceration. 1) punitive 2)reform. Recidivism is a huge problem. Illiteracy is rampant among inmates, and in the 70s, it was shown that teaching inmates to read greatly reduced recidivism rates. What do you think? Assume we can do so by restructuring, and not by raising taxes...
2006-11-30 04:12:21 · 12 answers · asked by hichefheidi 6 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
We should teach them to read, provide vocational training, provide violence-prevention training, and drug and alcohol abuse rehabilitation, and therapy for adult victims of child abuse.
These were recommendations of prison wardens I read while California was passing the Three Strikes law.
The prison wardens at a conference were asked what they thought should be done to reduce recidivism, and the above list was their reply. That and make it easier for them to keep connection with their families.
2006-11-30 06:39:16 · answer #1 · answered by tehabwa 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that we need to combine punitive and reform for our prisons. Work the prisoners hard for 8 hours a day on the weekdays then have them attend mandatory classes in the evenings and on Saturdays. Classes would be basic reading, writing, math skills, and civics. They could also choose courses in learning some sort of skill that will make them useful members of society when they leave prison. I think this would give them less time to pick fights and form "prison gangs" as well.
2006-11-30 12:23:17 · answer #2 · answered by Crusader1189 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A basic education test is part of the process in Illinois! If they can't pass they must attend school. I say work the devil out of them. There are many jobs that could teach them a trade for when they get out! It would also save the state money, by making money to offset the cost of incarceration.
2006-11-30 12:18:35 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Of course we should teach prisoners to read. Creating literacy is one of the states obligations to its people and these people slipped through the school system. Besides, 99% of jobs require basic literacy, so of course illiterate inmates are going to reoffend when they are released into society
2006-11-30 12:35:10 · answer #4 · answered by Cybele 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are actually 3 schools of theory regarding incarceration, but okay (you left out deterrence).
Yes. Teach them to read, by all means. A vast majority of them cannot.
A vast majority of them WILL be back.
BTW: I'm pretty sure that most prison systems already have this in place.
2006-11-30 12:17:29 · answer #5 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes
That was the original plan for America's public education. To teach people imprisoned by ignorance.
I wish NeoCons could read
2006-11-30 12:42:05 · answer #6 · answered by 43 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are U.S. prisoners that can't read? Wow. Yes, absolutely prisoners should be taught to read.
Literacy rates are an important factor in a country's economic and social fabric and quite frankly reading is on the decline which can only be considered a bad thing.
2006-11-30 12:16:24 · answer #7 · answered by Wednesday Keller 2 · 4⤊ 1⤋
We should probably make them work to earn their stay while at the same time teach them a trade they can use for gainful employment when they get out. That benefits society two-fold.
2006-11-30 12:15:12 · answer #8 · answered by Average Joe 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
YES! Give the folks there the best shot at rejoining society and contributing.
It's in our self-interest, AND also the compassionate thing to do. I like when they both point to the same result!
2006-11-30 12:57:07 · answer #9 · answered by American citizen and taxpayer 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes I think we should if the prisoner wants to learn. I think they should be able to go to classes in the prison as well, if they want to.
2006-11-30 12:17:36 · answer #10 · answered by Docbrown 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋