Educational achievements of the convicted and their importance in the correctional process planning - qualitative analysis

Abstract

Thesis and purpose

Persons who violate the legal order often present a low level of educational attainment. Insufficient levels of education and lack of professional qualifications often characterize these people, which contributes to deepening of social marginalization and consequently conduces regression to crime. The aim of the study was to present the educational attainments of the examined people and their significance in the planning of social correctional work aimed at introducing permanent changes in social functioning.

Research approach

The research, carried out by the author on the group of convicts under the supervision of a probation officer, was the inspiration of the article presented in this paper. The obtained data comes from the analysis of the documents found in custodianship files. The research was conducted from June to October 2017 on a sample of documents depicting the real-life situation of 57 people.

Results

The vast majority of individuals whose records were analyzed can be marked by low levels of educational attainment. Out of 57 people, 43 (75.4%) did not have any vocational qualifications and the school education was completed at the primary level. 11 people (19.2%) completed vocational school or professional course. Only 3 people (5.2%) had higher level of education.

Conclusions

Education plays an important role in the process of human socialization and equips individuals with effective mechanisms to cope with difficulties in adapting to the demands of the surrounding reality. People who are socially excluded and who violate social and legal standards often have low educated backgrounds. Awareness of the importance of educational attainment in stabilizing the living situation should be reflected in the planning of the social resocialization process aimed at achieving lasting changes in the social functioning of the individual.