Prisoner Education and Socialization though E-Learning
Abstract: Incarceration currently accomplishes two of three primary goals, these being punishment and removal from society those who seriously violate the law. To a much lesser degree, prisoners are effectively prepared to return to society following release. To the contrary, prolonged exposure to the violent anti-social environment found within prison walls reduces existing socialization skills, while informally teaching those vulnerable to the law-breaking how to be more effective criminals. In addition, the original underlying causes that prompted the individual to offend may still remain. Upon release, ex-offenders often reoffend, resulting in re-incarceration at substantial cost to society as a whole. Ideally, in addition to punishment and removal from society during the term of incarceration, prisoners should spend their time preparing for societal re-entry. E-Learning may present the key to this transition. Utilizing an interactive E-Learning program supported by a two-way audio/visual interface and standardized responses, each prisoner would spend several hours a day preparing for societal re-entry. Re-socialization would begin with evaluation of educational and societal skill levels, identifying individual skill and knowledge gaps. In addition to teaching traditional baseline skills (math, English, writing), the prisoner would receive substantial socialization skills training. Upon release, the ex-offender would be well prepared to return as a valued societal member.