Adding Value to Corrections
Inside Out: The National Survey on Prison Experience, created by the Global Justice Resource Center, takes a close look at what life is like for people while they are in prison in the United States. The survey asks about what people go through day-to-day in prison, and explores the problems and challenges they face. This project aims to help people better understand prison life.
Key Areas of Focus
The survey comprehensively explores several crucial aspects of the reentry process, including:
- Orientation: The preparedness and information provided to individuals prior to release.
- Safety: Perceptions of personal security within correctional facilities and upon reentry.
- Staff Respect: The quality of interactions and treatment received from correctional staff.
- Discipline: The impact of disciplinary actions during incarceration.
- Healthcare: Access to and quality of medical services.
- Substance Use: Challenges related to substance abuse and recovery support.
- Work Opportunities: The availability and accessibility of employment options.
- Educational Programs: Engagement in and benefits derived from educational initiatives.
- Family Contact: The maintenance of familial relationships.
- Reentry Support: The availability and effectiveness of programs designed to aid reintegration.
Purpose and Impact
By gathering information from many different people around the country, the survey helps leaders, prison staff, and everyone else learn more about important issues in prisons. Sharing these facts and experiences can help improve rules and programs in prisons so that prisons are better places to work and inmates have better chances for learning how to get out and stay out of prison.