(1)  The first radical departure from conventional programs was that this prototype was systematically forced to conform to the requirements of prison operation. Unlike traditional programs, it does not require prisons to conform in any major way to accommodate the program. As such these systems meet with little resistance from security and have a track record of reliable, trouble free operation over long periods within high stress environments. 

   (2)  Every effort was made in the formulation of this system to intentionally keep program costs and staff time necessary to operate this system to a minimum. This also served to avert staff burn out. This was accomplished by designing the program to operate on easily attainable, inexpensive surplus computers.

   (3)  This prototype objectively tests, measures and records what prisoners are actually learning. Objective measurement is a significant departure from many conventional substance abuse programs that offer only face validity to substantiate their expense. Without clear feedback as to what programs are actually accomplishing, we are operating in the dark with little solid evidence as to the programs true efficacy. As resources dry up, and prison over crowding strains the system, it is becoming increasingly difficult to justify the continued funding of conventional prison rehabilitation programs based on face validity alone. 

   (4)  Prisoners are not spoon-fed the massive amounts of program information CAP (Computer Assisted Program) prototypes require they learn by expensive program personnel. Inmates teach themselves course material through the use of structured study guides. Subject expertise is incorporated into easily reproducible, non-copyrighted, inexpensive study guides allowing for a cost effective, massive dissemination of program information. By simply reproducing more study booklets, this format gives program staff the latitude to expand inmate participation to any degree desired.

   (5)  The CAP program format does not force poorly educated or mentally impaired inmates to keep pace with the demands of a tightly structured, fast moving class. The portability and flexibility of study booklets gives prisoners the unprecedented freedom to adjust the program to their individual abilities, preferences and learning styles. Prisoners are free to choose when, how much, how long, and where they prefer to study. The self-study format allows them to move through the program at their own rate. 

   (6)  CAP systems do not place increased demands on strained correctional resources to function. Unlike conventional programs, this experimental prototype does not require additional classrooms, teachers, counselors, books, increased security or the purchase of additional materials to maintain program operation. Any officer or competent employee with a sound comprehension of inmate behavior and security practice can effectively manage one of these systems with absolutely no technical knowledge of the content of the program itself. All subject expertise is built into the study booklets.

  Assuring that large numbers of prisoners have mastered the program material and cannot steal tests or utilize cheat sheets to circumvent what they are expected to learn is accomplished through the high volume testing made practical only by computers. The computerization of testing allows testing to be randomized further preventing cheating and provides for instantaneous feedback of test scores. Since tests are administered electronically, paper costs associated with paper and pencil testing is eliminated. The theft of hard copy tests by inmates, a chief cause of program invalidation is totally eliminated by electronic testing of programs. In addition, when properly secured, computers are not amenable to inmate conning, cheating or manipulation. 

   (7)  CAP formats prevent prisoners from sleeping or cheating their way through rehabilitation programs. Inmates have no choice other than to take the time necessary to study for and legitimately pass program tests. Under these conditions, prisoners spend substantial amounts of time studying. The ability of this system to structure large amounts of non-productive inmate time also allows this program to serve as a powerful inmate management tool for administrators. Among the many advantages of this non-conventional prototype are low start-up and maintenance costs in comparison to conventional correctional programs.

   This is due in part to the fact that the software powering these prototypes was specifically designed to operate reliably on inexpensive, older computers filling state and university surplus warehouses and used computer stores. The many cost containment features of this program were incorporated with the understanding of the pressure upon correctional administrators to safely manage dangerous and overcrowded prisons with inadequate funding. As such, it is important for administrators to comprehend that once established these non-conventional prototypes actually become LESS expensive per inmate programmed, the more extensively they are used. The position paper that follows will outline the many serious and complex problems encountered when validly tested programming of large prison populations is attempted. Once the many serious problems associated with the objective testing of large prison populations is comprehended, it will become evident that conventional programs are totally inadequate and have little prospect of ever legitimately meeting the substantial needs for the programming of our massive prison populations. It is hoped that the proven track record of the experimental CAP prototypes over the last decade will lend credence to the concepts presented in the main body of this paper and help point the way for future generations of correctional program developers. The reader is not being asked to accept anything contained within this position paper on faith.

   The many complex problems associated with the widely utilized conventional programs operating in our prisons are clearly outlined in the following paper. For those of you working in prisons, once you know what to look for, the many problems with standard programs operating in these environments will become both self-evident and verifiable. It is sincerely hoped that the twenty years of research into the failure of conventional programs summarized here will be given due consideration by correctional personnel, administrators, legislatures, program development specialists, criminologists and universities. For professional software developers, the requirements for software to address the many problems of maintaining program validity with these populations are clearly described. The software developed by current researchers in order to prove the feasibility of the Computer Assisted Program concept is available. It is utilitarian. It lacks the ability to perform item analysis, and is devoid of the many fancy bells and whistles, which attract commercial consumers.

   However, its design and function are impeccable and are described in full detail within this report for professional software developers to build upon. The current CAP prototype has demonstrated beyond a doubt that the provision of large-scale, comprehensive, measurable, cost-effective programming for large prison populations is realistically achievable. If we as a society do not take the steps necessary to provide a more positive influence on those incarcerated, the established inmate population will enforce criminal thinking, hatred, violence and fear upon thousands of new inmates entering our prisons each year. Prisoners will continue to be released from these gladiator schools having received little constructive treatment prior to being thrown directly into our communities.

   Inmates are emerging from our prisons in much worse shape than when first incarcerated. Watching the nightly news on any day of the week clearly reveals the result of our current course and policies. Prison recidivism rates continue to be massive. We cannot rationally continue to do what we have always done with the prisons and expect a different result.

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