This is certainly a "feel good" post, Carolyn!  Thank you for sharing.
Donna Brian 

-----Original Message-----
From: specialtopics-bounces at nifl.gov
[mailto:specialtopics-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Buser, Carolyn
Sent: Wednesday, September 20, 2006 2:19 PM
To: specialtopics at nifl.gov
Subject: [SpecialTopics 216] Re: Family Literacy and Corrections

David --  Maryland has long had family literacy programs within selected
institutions.  Prisoners who are in the school program are able to bring
children in one morning every other month along with the children's'
care giver.  The incarcerated parent participates in reading activities
with the child or children, and the caregivers have a session led by
social workers or other professionals on how to help children and
themselves adjust to the incarceration of the parent.  The program began
at the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women in the 1990's through
Reading is Fundamental.  It has expanded to two men's institutions and
has had continued support from Maryland's Correctional Education Program
under the Maryland Department of Education.  Each parent studies
children's literature appropriate for her/his children in advance of the
visit, and then each child may select two books to take home.  Some of
these books are purchased, and others are donated.  Last year Maryland's
public school teacher of the year made the donation of these books her
project for the year.  There is nothing quite like watching the
commissioner of correction do the hokey-pokey with 25 or so prisoners
and their children.  Recently the program was awarded a Barbara Bush
Family Literacy Grant.  A contact for more information on this program
is the Correctional Education Librarian, Glennor Shirley, at
gshirley at msde.state.md.us.  Thank you for an informative discussion.  

Carolyn Buser, Education Specialist
United States Department of Education
Division of Adult Education and Literacy



-----Original Message-----
From: specialtopics-bounces at nifl.gov
[mailto:specialtopics-bounces at nifl.gov]On Behalf Of David Rosen
Sent: Wednesday, September 20, 2006 1:56 PM
To: specialtopics at nifl.gov
Subject: [SpecialTopics 215] Family Literacy and Corrections


Bill, John and Steve,

I have a question about family literacy.  "Locked Up and Locked Out"   
points out that punishment "is not appropriate for the more than 1.5
million children of prisoners" and that  "Neglecting these unintended
victims will likely lead to these children replacing their parents in
the prisons of the future."

What is being done about this? Can you give us some examples of programs
in prison settings that help inmates help their children to read or with
their homework, or with other education-related or parenting issues?

David J. Rosen
djrosen at comcast.net






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