The environment of a prison school as described by imprisoned students

Abstract

The article presents the findings of a survey that covered 52 male convicts - students of the Center for Continuing Education at the Correctional Facility in Stargard, a city in northwest Poland. It examined their perception of selected elements of the prison school’s environment. It determined how they described themselves as students and what characteristics and behaviors they ascribed to their teachers. They were also asked to estimate the resocialization value of instruction and suggest possible changes to be made to the school environment. The survey showed that the respondents’ education followed a dubious course. Their main motivating factor for entering education at the prison school was their desire to gain new or additional qualifications as well as to leave the cell. The survey also showed that, first of all, it was a broad knowledge of the subject taught that the students attributed to their teachers. At the same time, they thought their teaching staff lacked the ability to stimulate motivation for change in students. In the respondents’ opinion, instruction turned out to be of moderate significance as compared to other means resocialization value is ascribed to. The students pointed to some deficiencies of the prison school environment. Their correction could translate into increased value of instruction in the prison. The too narrow and obsolete educational offer received the most negative feedback from the students. They had a lot of critical comments about the school’s infrastructure. They were particularly unhappy about school supplies, which they thought were too modest, and the lack of appropriate conditions for intellectual work in the cells.