Federal Prisons: Inmate and Staff Views on Education and Work Training Programs
GGD-93-33
Published: Jan 19, 1993. Publicly Released: Feb 22, 1993.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Bureau of Prisons' (BOP) educational and vocational programs, focusing on: (1) whether BOP has reliable information on inmate participation in the programs; (2) incentives for encouraging inmate participation; and (3) whether BOP vocational training and industry work assignments provided marketable skills.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Justice | The Attorney General should require the Director, BOP, to explore broadening the incentives used to promote inmate participation in and completion of education and vocational training programs. In particular, BOP should explore the feasibility of using as incentives preferred housing assignments, custody level reductions, and school attendance during the regular workday and if warranted, consider doing tests or pilots. |
Closed – Implemented
Citing inmate population growth and the resulting overcrowding of BOP facilities, BOP does not believe it is feasible to offer preferred housing assignment or custody level reductions as inmate incentives for participating in and completing education and vocational training programs. However, BOP has issued a policy statement that encourages institutions to permit inmates to work half a day in prison industries and attend school the remainder of the day. BOP has also increased its use of student achievement recognition programs that family members may attend.
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| Bureau of Prisons | The Director, BOP, should require that his staff better ensure that pay raises not be granted to inmates who have not completed and are not exempt from the literacy requirement. |
Closed – Implemented
BOP Program Statement 8120.01 (March 27, 1995) provides that inmates who secure a FPI assignment above grade 4 (grade 1 being the highest) or who wish to work in incentive pay positions (piece rate) must have obtained a GED or high school diploma. If labor requirements at the institution warrant an exception, the inmate must be progressing at an acceptable level in a literacy or related program or be terminated from incentive pay employment. The policy does not apply to inmates promoted above entry level prior to May 1, 1991.
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Topics
Adult educationCriminalsData integrityEducationInformation systemsLiteracyOffender rehabilitationPrisonersRehabilitation programsVocational education