Abstract

This study examines the connection between participation in higher education programs in prison and the development of social capital. Interviews were conducted with eighteen formerly incarcerated participants enrolled in higher education programs while incarcerated. Findings suggest that participants developed self-efficacy, hard and soft skills, and connections to positive social networks through taking part in a postsecondary correctional education program. Participants noted an expansion of their self-awareness and improved communication skills that facilitated their mostly successful pursuits of employment opportunities after being released. The findings of this study also suggest that the outcomes of higher education programs in prisons extend beyond classroom learning and academic achievement in a way that provides students with knowledge, useful skills, prosocial networks, and access to employment prospects upon reentry into the community. More specifically, this study details how postsecondary correctional education programs provide a foundation for building social capital and preparing incarcerated individuals to become employable, law-abiding citizens. That this information came from formerly incarcerated individuals who are now thriving postrelease warrants further research that would support the expansion of educational programming for prisoners.

摘要

这项研究考察了参加监狱高等教育课程与社会资本发展之间的联系。采访了18名在囚期间参加高等教育课程的先前被监禁的参与者。研究结果表明，参与者通过参加中学后的矫正教育计划，发展了自我效能感，软硬技能以及与积极的社交网络的联系。与会者指出，他们的自我意识得到了扩展，沟通技巧得到了提高，这使他们在被释放后最成功地寻求就业机会。这项研究的结果还表明，监狱的高等教育计划的成果超出了课堂学习和学术成就的范围，这种方式可以为学生提供知识，有用的技能，亲社会的网络，并在重返社区后获得就业机会。更具体地说，本研究详细介绍了中等后教养教育计划如何为建立社会资本和为被监禁的个人准备成为可雇用的，守法的公民提供基础。这些信息来自以前被监禁的人，他们现在正在释放后蓬勃发展，因此有必要进行进一步的研究，以支持对囚犯进行教育计划的扩展。