An Evaluation of Life Skills Training for Penitentiary Inmates

Abstract Life Skills training programs conducted within three Canadian penitentiaries, were evaluated in terms of how effectively they met the goals of changing the personal and social functioning of the inmates. Outcome for the treated inmates was compared with untreated controls and the assessment measures revealed clear benefits for the trained subjects. The results are discussed in terms of the value of training in Life Skills and some suggestions are made concerning the best way to deliver such training.