First of all, this discussion is an excellent spotlight on correctional education. It is always positive when there are others who can relate to your issues.  Since our program is a correctional program and not really a prison program, there are few people who can understand some of our unique problems.  
 
We are a small county jail program in Texas that is sponsored by the adult education grant at the local community college.  We service the students who have a below 12.9 reading, writing, and/or mathematics score on a standardized test; however, the program is voluntary and we have certain restrictions.  They stay with our program until they are either released to the local area or sent to the prison system.  We have a statewide education system here in Texas at the prison level that will continue their education.  Our problems are usually dealing with the unpredictable time they will stay in our classes (average stay is 3-6 months), officer relationships with inmates and instructors, and the image that correctional education has with the public. 
 
However, in my years working with the incarcerated, the most positive aspect is the flexibility.  We can arrange classes and offer any types of additional programs we can come up with.  The students are always the focus and the classes being taught are always catered to their needs.  We offer English as a Second Language, basic ed, GED, and workforce skills.  However, it is the extra classes that the students request that keeps them motivated and maintain our positive image with the inmates.  I realize we are small (our county jail holds 500) and it is easy to handle such a small population; however, I'm sure there are things that can be duplicated at a larger level.
 
Some comments on the discussion topics:  it does take a motivating teacher to make your program work.  Not only motivating, but excellent in teaching as well as people relationships!  Maryland has had some fantastic programs that I have read about and I agree with the comments on self-education.  However, I must add that peer education is also a very effective route.  Our community also eliminated the newspapers when they put in televisions and ironically, the inmates are petitioning to get rid of the TVs because they never turn them off!  Finally, I heard the presentation referred to by Robin Schwarz and the probability that our students are suffering from a physical limitation (poor eyesight, hearing problems, etc) and it is being neglected, is very likely.  I hope the programs will begin to address that first.  
 
There are a couple of things that I wanted to share that may be of some interest.  We have Internet access for our students to use.  It is strictly limited and monitored at all times.  The classroom has 6 computers and all screens are visible.  The students are allowed to use them while the instructor is present and monitoring.  The rules do not allow email, chat, etc.  All downloading and printing is monitored.  It is a very small operation, but effective.  We began a college online course pilot program last week with three students.  They are taking a Web Page Design class. Hopefully, this will be a precedent for others to follow.  We will see.
 
 
Tiffany Johnson
Victoria College Adult Education --- Corrections
 
Changing the world... one inmate at a time!

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