Life Skills: From Day-to-Day to the Long Way Ahead

All the programming in the world can’t change the basic fact that prison is a negative experience designed to help inmates learn lessons, reflect on poor decisions and come to terms with the consequences of their behavior. The simple fact that an individual finds himself or herself incarcerated means that bad choices have been made – choices that might have been different with just a nudge in the right direction at some point along the way.

This is where Life Skills training comes in – and where optimism begins. CCA’s Life Skills rehabilitation programs are based on research that has uncovered proven ways to change thinking patterns, resulting in permanent changes in behavior. Life Skills training impacts every area of an individual’s personality, from personal goals to morals, from ethics to the drive to succeed.

Cognitive critical thinking classes are designed to help inmates overcome attitude problems and tendencies toward bad behavior. They follow a tested model of delinquency prevention, crime prevention and rehabilitation. Participants learn about logical problem solving, decision-making and the use of a value hierarchy.

Parenting and Family Dynamics

Maturity and responsibility are qualities essential to being a good parent. They’re also qualities that can help inmates make better choices in their lives. So it comes naturally that teaching inmates who have children to become better parents should be a big part of Life Skills training.

CCA’s Life Skills program takes parents through every stage in child development, including the role of a parent in helping children succeed in school. Also discussed are the consequences of raising a child in an “at risk” family. Together, these topics go a long way toward breaking the generational cycle and helping children avoid falling into the trap of criminal behavior and incarceration.

Budgeting and Financial Management

Poor management of family finances is a major problem that is by no means limited to the incarcerated population. Few, if any, factors lead to broken families more often than financial issues. That’s why budgeting and financial management are a critical part of Life Skills training. Inmates who can prioritize and stay out of financial trouble are much more likely to happy and productive citizens after release.

Occupational Readiness

Getting prepared to enter the workforce involves more than just learning the skills of a trade. CCA’s Life Skills programs have a major focus on employability and occupational training that includes:

  • Attendance
  • Career exploration
  • Following instructions
  • Hygiene
  • Job lead sources
  • Proper attire
  • Punctuality
  • Time management

Being able to perform a task isn’t enough. Individuals without the basic skills to become dependable employees will not have what it takes to succeed and become prosperous.

Interpersonal Skills

Sometimes, the failure to function and prosper in society can be due to a basic lack of social or interpersonal skills. The simple truth is that many inmates, due to lack of education or lack of exposure to positive role models at home, have communication issues that hamper their success.

That’s why Life Skills training includes a focus on interpersonal skill-building. Inmates are taught about the fundamental need for decency and respect. They learn communications skills and practice them in real-life situations. Programs also focus on independent living skills, anger control and victimization.