Question

With the problem of prison overcrowding and the rate of recidivism sending many offenders back to prison, researchers are trying to devise the best way to help inmates with reentry into the community. One approach is using prison programming--whether educational, vocational, or service based--to help inmates develop new skills that will be helpful to them upon release. There has been some debate over what prisons need to provide to prisoners—is high school education enough, or should postgraduate classes be offered? How many programs does a prison need to offer, and should those resources be made available to nonoffenders instead? Courts, lawmakers, and prison officials have to deal with these questions and also consider what will be most effective in keeping communities safe and ex-inmates out of prison.

Prisons are supposed to provide necessary essentials for inmates, but there has been debate over what “necessary” means. In some states it means bare-bones services such as the ability to get a GED and whatever else is court mandated. In some states, it includes numerous treatment and service programs inmates can utilize to improve themselves. Education is a particularly important issue, as more education has been proven to reduce the recidivism rate. Some states have recently instituted faith-based programs in an attempt to cut down on recidivism. Research has yet to prove whether this approach is effective, but it does seem to be a popular choice for many inmates.

Let’s review a few concepts before you make a decision about this scene.

What are the basic needs the courts have determined to be necessary in each prison?


medical services, service programs, and some education

medical services and family visitations only

a law library, family visitation, and medical services

basic education, medical services, and self-help programs

Answer 1

a law library, family visitation, and medical services