Functional Literacy Education for Jail Inmates: An Examination of the Hillsborough County Jail Education Program

Offenders incarcerated in jails in Hillsborough County, Florida, had the opportunity to participate in an education program using computer-assisted instruction for basic literacy education and GED preparation. Although literacy levels were low with a tested mean of sixth grade prior to entering the program, participants made statistically significant gains in knowledge during 6 weeks of instruction. Overall, participants gained 2.40 grades during this period. Significance tests based on gender, race, and age were conducted with males, Blacks, and juveniles showing significantly higher gains in knowledge within these groups. However, when a logistic regression model was created using low/high gains as the dependent variable, only age remained significant indicating an interaction effect with gender and race. Participants in the program showed high levels of satisfaction with the program, and 90% had plans to continue their education upon release from incarceration. Based on the research conducted thus far, the program is operating successfully.