Discussion Post

Research an inmate program within a US correctional institution (i.e. jail or prison) and provide a summary. The program can be a behavioral, educational, vocational, parenting, substance abuse, or veteran program. 

Please include the following in your summary:

· name and location of the institution

· facility details (i.e. size, average population, security level, type of institution, etc.)

· the program's mission/purpose/goals

· criteria/eligibility of the program

· who oversees the program (line staff or professional staff)

· how long has the program been in existence

· length of program

· components of the program

· benefits of the program to the inmate, the community, and the corrections department

· incentives for the inmate to participate in the program

· success rates/recidivism rates of program participants

· number of inmates currently in the program and number who have completed the program

Also, include your overall thoughts and feelings about prison/jail programs?  Some things that you can discuss:

· Do you think that they really benefit the inmate and the community?   Why?

· Do you believe these programs are effective?  If not, how could they be more effective?

· Do you believe that inmates should get free programming?  If so, why and what types of “free services” or programs should an inmate receive while in prison?  If not, why not?

· Do you think that participation in prison programs should be voluntary or mandated as an attempt to rehabilitate incarcerated individuals?