Summary of Reasons

As we have seen, reasons which prisoners give for attending school are numerous and varied. They make choices to attend school based on a variety of factors. What the research of these five sites found was that, once students are in school, they are greeted with an environment which facilitates learning. Some time is necessary for students to adjust to the school setting but, once settled, many set realistic goals for their release.

Literacy-Related Goals For Release

Data gathered from the interviews provides us with insight into the goals which students in prison set for themselves (See box). These goals, which cut across socioeconomic boundaries, are the same goals for which the majority of Canadians strive.

Phase II of the research proposes to contact each individual who participated in the first phase of the research to determine whether they achieved the goals which they set in prison.

Factors Influencing Success Upon Release

A significant amount of corrections research is devoted to addressing criminogenic factors which cause prisoners to return to prison (recidivate). Correctional Service of Canada has determined the primary factors which cause ex-prisoners to return to prison are criminal thinking errors, drug-related behavior, alcohol abuse, and negative peer association,

Sutton (1992) provides us with an understanding of prisoner issues,

"Characteristics of the prison population in industrialized countries such as Canada indicate that they are disproportionately of a minority race, lack social skills, may be dependent on drugs or alcohol, suffer emotional disturbance, come from unstable homes, have a history of failure in schools, are poor, and have a low level of self esteem."( P.13)