인문교정 프로그램의 개발과 의의

Abstract

The Korea Correctional Service of the Ministry of Justice has recently introduced 'intensive personality education' as a part of a convict correction and edification program with the purpose of seeking changes to current correctional paradigm. Alongside with the recognition that humanities education and the new correctional training programs would be effective in convicts' successful rehabilitation to the society, as well as lead to the reduction in the recidivism rate, the scientification of correctional administration, such as the introduction of electronics, seems to have served as a momentum in promoting the changes to the correctional paradigm. The interdisciplinary studies in humanities, psychology, and cognitive science coupled with the new approach to the development of correctional program are essential for the successful correctional treatment. In particular, the humanistic approach is a base for the correctional education. The present study aimed to develop a humanistic corrections program for convicts' self-awareness and rehabilitation with the theoretical base in humanistic corrections. Our second aim was to assess the significance of the program. First, we discussed the fact that the humanistic corrections program based on the contents of humanities, such as literature, history, and philosophy, is effective in changing convicts' values and ways of thinking. Second, we presented the definition of humanistic corrections, reflection on the penological philosophy, holistic human theory, ontological approach to good and evil, and humanistic approach to time and space as a theoretical background for the correctional program. The humanistic corrections program consists of a total of 12 sessions, 90 minutes each. Each session consists of topics, activity targets, activity contents, and materials. Each topic deals with overall issues in the humanities, ranging from 'Who am I?' to 'The issues of good and evil' and 'Beautiful life'. This program which consists of future-oriented contents is an activity-centered program where the outcomes are writings and drawings, rather than a series of lectures on theory. Although it was difficult to objectively evaluate the outcome as the program was still in progress we attempted to get a provision assessment of the program. First, the development of a tailored program is needed with the consideration of age, personality, educational background, the type of crime, and the time in prison. Second, voluntary participation in the program is needed through promotion such as publishing a brochure. Third, a full-time instructor training program is necessary at the correctional institution level for achieving professionalism and effectiveness of the program operation. Fourth and last, humanities education for the prison officers, volunteers, and correctional institution-related professions is needed to create a humanistic education environment.