Adult Inmates’ Motivation for Participation in Educational Programs in Greece

Abstract

Adult Education in prisons aims at challenging the illiteracy of those incarnated, which often leads to delinquency and recidivism. In Greece there are educational programs designed for inmates like those of vocational training and counseling. With the establishment of Second Chance Schools (SCS) inside prisons, a more systematic and integrated effort was made for the overall development of trainees and their fullest participation in the economic, social and cultural life. In the past, little interest had been shown regarding the education of adult inmates. Lately, however, many studies have been conducted regarding the work that SCS provide. For this reason, a systematic review of the relevant bibliography and a compilation of the findings of the studies realized between 2006-2016, regarding the motives of inmates participating in the educational programs, was considered appropriate. The results demonstrate that the strongest motives have to do with the pains of imprisonment, the reduction of time the inmates had to serve, the enrichment of knowledge of the inmates, their self-improvement and the ability to acquire and develop essential skills for their rehabilitation in the societal and professional world.