What is typically a major goal of correctional education programs?

A major goal of correctional education programs is to provide vocational skills. These programs are designed to equip incarcerated individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to improve their employability upon release. By focusing on vocational training, correctional education aims to prepare inmates for successful reintegration into society, thereby reducing recidivism rates.

Engaging individuals in educational opportunities can lead to greater job prospects and help them develop a sense of purpose and self-worth. This emphasis on skill development directly addresses one of the root causes of crime—lack of education and employment opportunities. When individuals are better prepared for the workforce, they are more likely to avoid returning to criminal behavior.

The other options highlight different perspectives and goals, but do not align with the core mission of correctional education programs. For instance, punishment is a primary objective of the correctional system as a whole, but not a specific goal of educational initiatives. Similarly, increasing incarceration rates does not reflect the rehabilitative intent of educational efforts, and enhancing community safety, while an important outcome, is more effectively achieved through the successful reintegration of individuals into society rather than through direct educational goals.