GUIDED READING PROGRAMME FOR PRISONERS: AN OUTCOME-ORIENTED APPROACH

Abstract

As part of a more comprehensive pilot – study this paper deals with the verification of the first Guided Reading Programme conducted within the Croatian prison system, in the period from June 1st to September 1st, 2012. The subjects were adult male prisoners serving long-term sentences in a medium security prison. The results of the Verbal and Communication Skills, Transcendental Insight and Improving Reading Habits scales of two groups of prisoners were compared, at the initial and final measurement points of the programme. The first group participated in Programme activities (P group, N=8) in contrast with the second group which did not participate in the same activities of Programme (NP group, N=8), but agreed to complete the scales. All the prisoners participated voluntarily. The criteria for the selection of participants in both groups were: completion of four – year secondary school education, preserved cognitive functioning and intrinsic motivation.

The data were analysed by the following non-parametric tests: Mann-Whitney test, Chi squared test and programs COCHCOX and METDIF1.

Group P showed better results than group NP at the initial (p <r; 0.05 in 6 variables) and final points of measurement (p <r; 0.05 in 5 variables), which means that their statements were significantly more positive and healthier.

Conclusively, the programme is useful for personal development of inmates and has a positive impact on their rehabilitation.