Many critics argue that the criminal justice system is simply a “holding cell” for criminals where they are locked away until their sentences are served, without gaining any useful skills or job readiness for when they eventually reenter society. To address this, many correctional facilities are improving opportunities for inmates to gain these types of skills and make a smoother transition to regular life. What new skills should these facilities provide? Should opportunities be provided to all inmates or just some? Are the programs to develop skills useful?
To Prepare:
Using the National Institute of Justice website, research and identify a program within a correctional facility that provides inmates with job skills and/or training.
Consider whether the program is effective.
BY DAY 3 OF WEEK 9
Post the program you identified. Explain two ways inmates have transitioned back into society positively because of the training and/or skills acquired through the program. Alternatively, explain two ways in which the program fails to transition inmates back into society.