Objections to Prison Training
Through the years, various sectors of society have objected to granting training to prison inmates. Training may include vocational or educational training and even college courses. While many prisoners will eventually return to society and need viable skills, opponents raise several objections to providing inmates with these skills.
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Inmate Performance
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One concern people raise is regarding the effectiveness of prison training and subsequent inmate performance in classes. People are concerned about the need for prisoners with life sentences or those on death row to attend even the most basic education classes. Additional concerns include the length of time inmates take to complete programs, possibly intentionally to avoid work or other responsibilities, and the failure to set reasonable goals and expectations for prisoner accountability.
Initial Costs
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An objection raised is the initial cost of prison training programs. Some feel taxpayer dollars should not pay for the expenses related to training. Local, state and federal jurisdictions may not have the required funding for books, materials, computers and teachers in their already strapped budgets. In some cases, state and federal legislatures must approve additional spending, which citizens often oppose. Additional facilities for classes also add further expenses.
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Lack of Statistical Backing
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As of 2004, according to a Bureau of Prison report, the federal government does not maintain statistical data on release preparation programs, which prepare inmates for a successful transition back into society. Community corrections centers also did not meet targets set for inmate numbers who re-entered the community successfully, which included low, minimum and medium security inmates.
Religious Issues
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The U.S. District Court in the Middle District of Pennsylvania covered a case related to religious-based vocational training on August 10, 2006. Staff members at a county jail were required to follow Christian beliefs through the vocational training program. The program focused on religious activities, and the county did not offer other similar religious programs at the facility. As such, taxpayers asserted that public funding of this training violated the Constitution. The Pennsylvania District Court found in favor of the taxpayers and agreed with the constitutional violation.
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References
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