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| Going Beyond the Books Helping Inmates Find the Tools To Succee |
| By Ray McCalment, Ed.D. and Diana McCalment, M.S. |
| Published: 06/03/2002 |
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Education has proven to be effective in reducing recidivism. A recent study conducted by the Correctional Education Association found significant reductions in re-arrest, re-conviction and re-incarceration rates for inmates who received education. The administration and staff need to support and encourage inmate participation in educational pursuits. But education is, by itself, not enough. Inmates don't recidivate because they can't find an apartment, identify a preposition, or divide fractions. They recidivate because they don't have the personal and social skills needed to assure their success. They continue to exhibit a poor attitude or make bad decisions. They continue their old ways, making poor choices. Instead of relying completely on academic, vocational, and living skills, social and emotional skills have to also be introduced and reinforced. There are four methods, represented by the acronym 'PERM', that can help inmates gain the attitudes needed for success, both in and out of prison. Everyone in the corrections profession can use these methods. Positive Expectation Inmates often have a negative outlook on life. They may believe they cannot succeed, complete classes or live an even minimally successful life. Some have such a poor attitude of themselves they don't even try to improve or learn. They often have the attitude, 'I'm no good, never have been, and never will be.' The institution may be a continuation of a self-fulfilling condition. It reads something like, 'I'm in prison. Prison is a bad place, for bad people. Therefore, I'm bad.' With this outlook, they are not likely to make the adjustments they need to live a better life, in or out of prison. A few staff concur and purposefully reinforce that notion. They may feel that inmates are something akin to sub-humans, and that the proof of the inmate's condition is that they are in prison. Many other staff have fairly positive expectations for the inmates, but they do not actively support and encourage inmates by sharing those positive expectations. Every person the inmate comes in contact with can have a positive expectation for the person. A belief and expectation that anyone can improve or change can be a stimulus for the person's change. An encouraging statement can sometimes be all that is needed to get the inmate moving in a positive direction, such as 'you can do it' or 'sure you can learn - go ahead and take those classes.' Will you get rebuffed for trying to be positive or help another to be? Count on it. Not everyone will agree with your assessment. Will having a positive expectation for inmates' behaviors and attitudes ensure 100% success with 100% of the inmates? Of course not. But it is the only thing that makes sense. It is critical for getting inmates to turn their life around. Environment No one says the inmates should have it easy, but there are things that can be done in the environment that can help motivate inmates to better behaviors. Bulletin boards, posters, pictures of successful people - especially those who served time and made it on the outside - can help turn attitudes and behaviors. At the River City Community Corrections facility in Cincinnati, Ohio, the residents (inmates) wrote their own philosophy. It comprises a large mural in the common meeting area. In part it reads: 'We accept responsibility for our own actions. This is why we are here. We hold ourselves and each other accountable for our behavior, knowing that we determine our own futures. We now make a commitment to take risks, change and grow. We are learning to come face-to-face with our real selves, and to set and achieve positive goals.' This philosophy statement is before the residents every day - it is a part of their environment. The facility walls serve as constant reminders of the positive goals and aims of the residents. The environment reinforces the inmate's own positive goals. Reinforcement 'The things that get rewarded get done,' said Michael LeBoeuf in The Greatest Management Principle in the World. One of the basic tenants of behavior modification and cognitive skills training is encouragement and reinforcement. Reinforcement doesn't have to be expensive or security-threatening rewards. It can be simple, little, everyday things. A word of encouragement - 'good work,' 'keep it up' or 'way to go' - may stimulate an inmate toward continued growth and progress. A nod, a smile, or a pat on the back may have an effect or outcome unknown to the giver, but far greater than he/she might imagine. A little encouragement may stimulate an inmate to break out of some old, destructive patterns and move toward better attitudes and behaviors. Modeling This is also called role modeling. It may be the hardest to do, but it is also perhaps the most valuable and important. People mirror the behaviors of significant others around them. If we expect inmates to respect us, we need to respect them. Calling them by name is a good start. If we expect inmates to act civily, we need to treat them with civility. Giving directions in a precise, clear manner can show them how to act with authority. Following orders encourages others to follow orders. Avoiding gossip, avoiding sexist jokes and avoiding racial comments set a respectful tone, modeling acceptance of diversity. Will It Work? Correctional professionals all over the United States are using this method. However, the most concentrated efforts we know of are in Ohio. Corrections educators have used these methods in conjunction with other education and rehabilitation programs for the past five years. Proof of the value of their efforts is found in lowered re-arrest, re-conviction and re-incarceration rates as indicated in the recent recidivism study. The advantages to PERM are that it requires no advanced training, no additional time or space, and no additional staff or funding. Everyone from the warden to corrections officers can use these four methods. Facilities that choose to use PERM can do so simply be raising staff members' level of awareness about each of the methods. Staff meetings, inexpensive posters or adding PERM to staff evaluations, are examples of simple ways to increase the awareness. Results may be hard to measure, especially when efforts are first initiated. But consistent, persistent efforts will be reflected by inmates who serve better time and succeed after release. Submitted by Ray McCalment, Ed.D., and Diana McCalment, M.S., of Designs For Progress, Inc., an educational consulting firm specializing in integrating character education in corrections settings. They can be reached at 1.918.324.5547, email rmccalment@aol.com. |
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