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Is the literacy level sufficient to
ensure that a defendant understands justice procedures and what is expected of
him or her? Is literacy systematically considered and reported on in
pre-sentence reports? If not, are judges requesting this information? And, when
necessary, is participation in programs designed to increase the level of
literacy, a condition of probation? Is the literacy level of all prisoners
systematically assessed and are remedial programs offered? The safety of all
citizens depends on the ability of all of us to understand justice proceedings
and to develop sufficient reading, writing and computational skills to function
in the 21st century. |