ASCA Responses: Literacy Program Survey (August 2011)

Jurisdiction:

1. Does your Department Please supply the contact information for the person in your Department utilize volunteerwho is most familiar with the data we are seeking. taught education programs (i.e., literacy or GED)?

Please specify the type of program provided.

The Alabama Department of Post-Secondary Education provides educational services for inmates. These services include literacy, GED, special educational services and vocational training.

2. Does your Department utilize inmate-taught education programs (i.e., literacy or GED)?

Please specify the type of program provided.

Yes

Trained inmate tutors assist Alabama Department of Post-Secondary Education instructors in providing GED services. Trained inmate instructors are used in the Laubach Literacy Programs. Inmates serve only as tutors in support of the professional teachers on staff.

Alabama

Dr. Eddie Lancaster, Re-Entry Coordinator/ Education Liaison

[email protected] bama.gov

334-353-9511

No

Arizona

Barbara Ganz

[email protected] v

602-542-5620

No

No

George Brewer, Research Karein McGuire, Director, Special Education Patrick Hynes, Director, Best Practices Unit

george.brewer@arkansa s.gov

870-267-6335

No

No

[email protected]. 719-226-4418 co.ue

No

No

[email protected]. ct.us

860-243-9039

No

We offer community volunteer support & also trained inmates supervised by staff teachers.

No

See above comment.

Florida

Latoya Lane, Director, Reentry

[email protected] e.fl.us

850-717-3049

Yes

ABE-GED

Yes

ABE-GED

Hawaii

Maureen L.Tito, Maureen.L.Tito@Hawaii. Corrections gov Education Program Manager

808-587-1275

Yes

Literacy tutors and ESL tutors

Yes

Teacher assistants, small group tutoring, ABE classroom instruction in classes with enrollment below 5.

Idaho

Julie Oye-Johnson

[email protected] 208-658-2066

Yes

The Education program is open to volunteers teaching offender classes in Literacy, GED or Workforce Readiness under the supervision of a certified Instructor.

No

The IDOC does not allow offenders to teach or lead classes. Offenders may assist as tutors.

Indiana

John Nally, Ed.D.

[email protected]

317-233-3111

Yes

We encourage volunteer tutors to assist us. Literacy & GED

Yes

The Correctional Education Association, Peer Literacy Tutor Initiative. NOT taught; TUTORS under direct supervision of teachers.

Iowa

Sandra Smith, Director, Correctional Ed

[email protected] 515-725-5728

No

Iowa's DOC contracts with five community colleges which provide education at our prison facilities. Teachers for GED and Literacy must have a current teacher license.

Yes

Iowa's inmates can apply to work as tutors in education (GED/Literacy).

Louisiana

Kim B. Barnette, Education Director

[email protected] ate.la.us

225-342-0579

Yes

Literacy, Adult Basic Education (ABE) and GED

Yes

Literacy, ABE and GED

[email protected]

Both Literacy and GED courses

Yes

Literacy and basic academic courses

Arkansas Colorado Connecticut

Maine Maryland Massachusetts Mississippi Nebraska

Ellis King, Correctional Planning Analyst Paula Matthews, Education Liaison

207- 287-4342

Yes

[email protected]. 410-585-3346 md.us

No

William S.Wood, Deputy Director

[email protected] 508-935-0901 s

No

Pat Owen, Education Director Layne Gissler, Programs Administrator

[email protected] 601-359-5600 s layne.gissler@nebraska. 402-479-5723 gov

Literacy Program Survey.xls (KS)

No Very little. Volunteers or inmates may assist teachers as tutors but cannot teach classes alone. Classes are taught by full time certified teachers.

No No

Inmate tutors assist teaching staff but do not teach classes unsupervised. Yes

We do utilize inmates as tutors and teacher aides. Page 1 of 8

Literacy, ABE, GED

No Last Updated: 9/9/11 at 1:18 PM

ASCA Responses: Literacy Program Survey (August 2011)

Jurisdiction:

Nevada

1. Does your Department Please supply the contact information for the person in your Department utilize volunteerwho is most familiar with the data we are seeking. taught education programs (i.e., literacy or GED)? Kimberly Petersen

[email protected]

775-887-3237

Please specify the type of program provided.

No

2. Does your Department utilize inmate-taught education programs (i.e., literacy or GED)?

Please specify the type of program provided.

No

New Hampshire

Jeffrey Lyons, Public Information Officer

603-271-5602

Yes

Vermont Children's Literacy Foundation visits the women's prison to teach inmates how to animate their reading skills to make books more interesting to their children. They also provide the offenders with children's books that they can send to their children.

New Jersey

Hugh DeHaven, Ed. Program [email protected] 609-292-6729 Specialist e.nj.us

Yes

College led programs. College students also work as literacy volunteers. Academic volunteers participate in academic classroom activities as tutors and mentors.

Yes

Peer to peer literacy programs are utilized in many adult facilities.

Yes

Primarily, NYC Department of Education runs a public high school on Rikers Island and provides GED preparation and high school credit bearing courses for the population. Between July 2010 and April 2011, eight thousand seven hundred-seven (8,707) students were served. Additionally, the Prison Education Initiative organizes volunteers to provide literacy, GED tutoring, and college-based educational programming at Rikers Island.

No

We currently do not have this type of program but would like to hear more about how other departments provide this type of programming.

No

DOCCS hires NYS Certified teachers to teach literacy (Adult & Basic Education), GED and ESL/Bilingual classes. Post secondary college level courses are taught by volunteer instructors who are funded by the various college programs.

No

All DOCCS literacy, GED preparation and ESL/Bilingual programs are taught by NYS Certified teachers employed by the Department.

[email protected] s

New York City

Angela Tolosa, Assistant Commissioner, Program Management and Planning

[email protected] 718-546-0450 ov

New York State

Linda Hollmen, Director of Education

[email protected] te.ny.us

Literacy Program Survey.xls (KS)

518-402-0092

Page 2 of 8

No

Last Updated: 9/9/11 at 1:18 PM

ASCA Responses: Literacy Program Survey (August 2011)

Jurisdiction:

North Carolina North Dakota

1. Does your Department Please supply the contact information for the person in your Department utilize volunteerwho is most familiar with the data we are seeking. taught education programs (i.e., literacy or GED)? Shane Tharrington, Programs [email protected] 919-838-3610 Director III c.gov Leann Bertsch, Director [email protected] 701-328-6616

No Yes

We have retired teachers that help with the GED program.

No

Denise Justice, Superintendent

Oklahoma

Kenny Holloway, Deputy Director; Pam Humphrey, Superintendent of Schools

Oregon

Nichole R. Brown, Administrator, Workforce Development

[email protected] 503-934-1007 e.or.us

No

Pennsylvania

Joel Barrows, Special Assistant to the Secretary of Corrections

[email protected]

717-975-4963

No

Rhode Island

Ralph Orleck, Special [email protected] Education Director / Principal

401-462-1415

No

No

South Dakota

Jen Wagner, Corrections Program and Contracts Manager, State Penitentiary

[email protected] 605-367-6053 .us

No

No

Tennessee

Tanya Washington, Budget Analyst Coordinator

[email protected] ov

740-845-3130

[email protected] e.ok.us; 405-962-6105 [email protected] 405-962-6109 e.ok.us 405-202-2968

615-253-8187

No

Yes

No

Please specify the type of program provided.

No

Ohio

Literacy Program Survey.xls (KS)

[email protected] e.oh.us

Please specify the type of program provided.

2. Does your Department utilize inmate-taught education programs (i.e., literacy or GED)?

No In addition to our certified teachers and administrators, the Department has volunteers who teach some zero-level college preparatory programs. Additionally, we have a program called Cognitive Systems, Inc. that is implemented through volunteers.

Yes

Yes

State operated education and vocational programs

Volunteers may be utilized to provide one-on-one tutoring.

Page 3 of 8

We do however use CEA Peer Literacy Tutor Training so our teachers can train inmate tutors who assist in the classroom under the direct supervision of our teachers. We have some who work with the ProLiteracy (formerly Laubach) Literacy Program. Additionally, some sites use other supplemental materials from various companies to peer-tutor offenders in class; there are mostly literacy-level classes. However, there are some GED Prep classes that are one-on-one tutored. Inmate Tutors who have a HSD or GED and meet all literacy requirements may apply for tutor positions. We use trained inmate tutors to service our GED program at releasing institutions for inmates who are higher functioning.

No

No

While the Tennessee Department of Correction does not have any inmate taught programs, inmates are utilized as teacher's aides. Inmate teacher's aides may provide one-on-one instruction.

Last Updated: 9/9/11 at 1:18 PM

ASCA Responses: Literacy Program Survey (August 2011)

Jurisdiction:

1. Does your Department Please supply the contact information for the person in your Department utilize volunteerwho is most familiar with the data we are seeking. taught education programs (i.e., literacy or GED)?

Please specify the type of program provided.

2. Does your Department utilize inmate-taught education programs (i.e., literacy or GED)?

Volunteers provide assistance in the Windham School District's literacy and GED classes, but no programs are taught by volunteers. Independent of the Windham School District, volunteer-led literacy programs such as Hope Literacy and Storybook Project have been successful in helping offenders learn to read and improve their reading skills. This also has a direct impact on restoring relationships with family members and helping their family members improve their reading skills. Hope Literacy is a faith based program that is designed to help with needs brought about by illiteracy and learning disabilities. Volunteers facilitate classes that addresses these needs while helping the offender learn to read. Storybook Project is designed to help restore relationships between the offender parent and their children through reading, thus improving the reading skills of both parent and child. The offender parent records a reading of a children's book. The recording, as well as the book, is sent to the child to read along while listening to their parent read to them.

No

Please specify the type of program provided.

Texas

Debbie VanDyke, Volunteer Services

[email protected] 936-437-4977 te.tx.us

Yes

West Virginia

Jennifer Ballard, Director, Programs

[email protected] 304-558-2036 v

No

No

Wisconsin

Sadique Isahaku, Education Coordinator

sadique.isahaku@wiscon 608-240-5165 sin.gov

No

No

However, we do have a few inmate tutors in a few education programs.

Wyoming

Betty Abbott, Correctional Ed [email protected] Programs Manager

307-777-6104

No

Yes

Some at one facility where we have limited staff, but we have inmate tutors work with students who need extra help.

Yes No

12 22

12 21

34 Total

Literacy Program Survey.xls (KS)

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Last Updated: 9/9/11 at 1:18 PM

ASCA Responses: Literacy Program Survey (August 2011)

3. What other types of programs, aside from literacy-based programs, does your Department have that are volunteer-taught programs?

Jurisdiction:

4. What other types of programs, aside from literacy-based programs, does your Department have that are inmate-taught programs?

Alabama

Numerous volunteer taught programs are offered in our Re-Entry Programs, our Faith Based Programs, and to our general population inmates. These include programming in life skills development, work skills, health awareness, arts, creative writing, etc.

Arizona

Religious, AA, NA

Arkansas

IFI

Colorado

Religious, 7-habits

Connecticut

Fine arts, writing, poetry, dance, and a program used to train dogs to assist handicapped individuals.

None, but inmates do provide support in classes supervised by staff teachers.

Florida

Marriage/Counseling, life skills, faith-character programs, Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous, parenting, financial programs, Anger Management and dog programs

Small Business training, AA/NA, Toastmasters-Gavel Club, music classes(instrumental and vocal), 100 Hour Transition Program (assists the facilitator),

None

A few life skill courses that are based on their specific expertise.

None

General interest courses: Toastmasters, Yoga, Spanish, business Math, Flower arranging, Book clubs, art, music, other short general interest courses Stress Management, Health, Hawaiian Culture and language

Idaho

The IDOC utilizes volunteers for religious classes not mandated by the judges.

Indiana

I am not aware of the specific ones. Our religious division has several volunteers in reformative, faith-based programs.

Iowa

In education there are no programs that are volunteer-taught programs.

In education there are no programs that are inmate-taught programs.

Louisiana

ABE and GED

ABE and GED

Maine

Recreational and religious education

Recreational, languages, art, & music

Maryland

Developmental courses to prepare for college at the women's facility only.

Massachusetts

The Dept. has a volunteer services coordinator who could give you more information how volunteers are used in religious and treatment programs.

Nebraska

All inmate tutors must complete a comprehensive tutor training program that includes 16 hrs. classroom training and 40 hrs. supervised classroom practicum. All volunteers must undergo a criminal background check and attend a 9 hr. volunteer training program.

The IDOC does not allow offenders to teach or lead in any class room situation. None

I would love to see the results if this is a national survey? is that possible? [email protected]

The Reentry Court Program at the Louisiana State Penitentiary utilizes certified offender instructors for vocational programs, i.e., mechanic and carpentry. None

None If there are any they would be at a minimum. Vocational (music, knitting etc.) may be taught by inmates. No good time or other incentives are provided.

N/A

The administration adheres to a philosophy that does not allow inmates to gain power or influence over other inmates.

N/A

InsideOut Dad parenting program; Alternatives to Violence;

Literacy Program Survey.xls (KS)

AZ DOC is always trying to recruit additional volunteers to supplement the professional program/education staff.

N/A

Hawaii

Mississippi

Comments:

None Page 5 of 8

Last Updated: 9/9/11 at 1:18 PM

ASCA Responses: Literacy Program Survey (August 2011)

Jurisdiction:

Nevada

3. What other types of programs, aside from literacy-based programs, does your Department have that are volunteer-taught programs?

4. What other types of programs, aside from literacy-based programs, does your Department have that are inmate-taught programs?

Faith-based. AA, NA etc.

Comments:

None

New Hampshire Bible Studies groups touch on this topic from time to time.

New Jersey

New York City

New York State

Reading programs, parenting programs, NA/AA, NAACP, religious groups, victim awareness, Incarcerated Veterans, Toastmasters, Inmate Legal Association, art and hobby. Each year, over 800 volunteers provide services for the population in our custody. Some of the many groups and individuals that play prominent roles in the volunteer-driven programs in the City jails include: ~ The New York University and Columbia University students who developed and deliver the Malcolm X Debate Program on Rikers Island every year. ~Motivational speakers that speak on various topics to help inmates prepare for their reentry back to the community. ~New York Public Library literacy program volunteers that provide library books to the inmates and its Daddy and Me program where volunteers help fathers record storybook readings for their children. ~The Inside Out Dad Fatherhood Initiative and other fatherhood programming that educate inmates about the child support process and the protocols to reduce arrears. ~The Horticultural Society of New York volunteers in the Rikers Island Greenhouse Project which provides horticultural therapy and vocational instruction in horticulture. ~No Kidding Program which provides pregnancy prevention information to adolescent inmates through peer education. ~New York Writer's Coalition Workshop and Voices Unbroken which provides creative writing and poetry workshops to promote inmates' self-expression and literacy. ~US Prison Smart which provides guided instruction in meditation, fitness, yoga, and stress reduction at the facility for female inmates. ~Social Worker Karen Haskins, who completed both undergraduate and graduate field work in the City’s jails and continues to spend her weekends both counseling inmates and supervising interns who assist inmates in the Otis Bantum Correctional Center. And ministerial volunteers such as: - Members of the Beth Elohim synagogue in Brooklyn, who collaborated with the Osborne Association to provide toys and books and decorate new family visit areas in Rikers jails; - Mother Wilhelmina Coleman of Faith Deliverance Outreach and the Faith In Re-Entry Program in Brooklyn, who have volunteered for 41 years; - Larnie Mobley of Brooklyn, who has volunteered for 36 years and Baptist Minister’s Wives and Widows, who provide religious services and donations and minister to women and babies; - Willie Mae Wyatt, who has volunteered for 37 years and the Friendship Church congregation in Manhattan, who provide services and bible study, and operate the Esther House apartment for female former offenders; - Deacon Ernest James of the Change of Life Ministries in Manhattan who has volunteered since 1995 and mentors in the Faith in Re-entry Program; - Pastor Gary Frost of the Evergreen Baptist Church in Brooklyn, who conducts an annual Rikers Island four-day Hope Festival and the Hope Sports Festival for inmates, provides religious services and mentors inmates; - Ms. Walker’s New Greater Bethel Church and many more. Volunteers are utilized in a variety of programs. Some of these programs include Alcoholics Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous, Alternatives to Violence, Reentry, Veterans Programs, Parenting Programs, religious programs, HIV/AIDS programs, Puppies Behind Bars, Fine and Theatre Arts programs.

Literacy Program Survey.xls (KS)

Music groups, chess club, toastmasters, art, poetry club, facility newspapers, etc.

The Department is working to expand Literacy Volunteer participation within every facility.

At this time there are no inmate-taught programs at the Department. Inmates, however, can work as clerks providing support to the law libraries which provide Please feel free to contact me for more information. legal research classes to the population.

Specifically trained inmates known as Inmate Program Associates (IPAs) are utilized with staff supervision to facilitate a number of programs, such as, education, therapeutic, self-help, religious and other programs. IPAs are screened and selected in accordance with written policy and procedures. Page 6 of 8

None

Last Updated: 9/9/11 at 1:18 PM

ASCA Responses: Literacy Program Survey (August 2011)

Jurisdiction:

North Carolina

3. What other types of programs, aside from literacy-based programs, does your Department have that are volunteer-taught programs?

4. What other types of programs, aside from literacy-based programs, does your Department have that are inmate-taught programs?

Substance Abuse Related, Religion Related

Substance Abuse Related, Religion Related, Health Maintenance Related

Ohio

None in education. There are some volunteers in religious services.

In some of the inmate groups like NAACP, Veteran's, Toastmasters, etc., inmates sometimes do presentations to the rest of the group.

Oklahoma

Cognitive restructuring, victim impact; parenting; various reentry focused programs. Volunteers teach a variety of educational/personal interest and faith-based program.

Comments:

North Dakota

Chronic disease self-management (peer facilitated), HIV education (peer facilitated).

There are inmate clerks and tutors who assist with office functions in specific programs but inmates do not teach other inmates in our system. The cognitive skills programs have classroom assistants who work alongside the instructional staffs.

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Volunteers come in as guest speakers for Drug and Alcohol Programming.

Rhode Island

Chaplaincy Team, Books Beyond Program, Holidays Not Forgotten, Space in Prison for the Arts & Creative Expression, (Space Program) run by the Brown University Swearer Center, Girl Scouts of Rhode Island, Parent / Child Visitation Program.

None.

N/A

N/A

Volunteer opportunities also exist in the Adult Probation and Parole Department.

South Dakota

Tennessee

Literacy Program Survey.xls (KS)

Page 7 of 8

Last Updated: 9/9/11 at 1:18 PM

ASCA Responses: Literacy Program Survey (August 2011)

Jurisdiction:

3. What other types of programs, aside from literacy-based programs, does your Department have that are volunteer-taught programs?

4. What other types of programs, aside from literacy-based programs, does your Department have that are inmate-taught programs?

Comments:

Texas

Peer education (HIV classes): TDCJ, in cooperation with the Texas Department of State Health Services and partnership with AIDS Foundation Houston, AIDS Arms of Dallas and other community based organizations, has implemented an offender peer education program called Wall Talk to teach offenders about prevention of HIV, hepatitis and other communicable diseases. The peer educators are offenders who have been trained in education techniques and in the diseases about which they teach. The major limitation to offering this form of education in all facilities is that rapid offender turnover at substance abuse treatment facilities and state jail facilities makes keeping a trained cadre of peer educators a challenge. The peer education curriculum is modular so that each course can be tailored to the needs and interests of the class. Modules include HIV, hepatitis, sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis, diabetes, staphylococcal infections and getting health care in the free world. Although each course may be different, they all include the core curriculum topics of HIV and hepatitis. The peer educators on female units use a separate curriculum Regarding Windham School District Literacy/GED Family / parenting skills, life skills, budgeting, job skills, religious studies, drug and alcohol called Women to Women that incorporates the information in Wall Talk but also programs, please contact Marjie Haynes, Curriculum rehabilitation, arts/crafts, support groups. includes additional topics such as the female reproductive system, making Director 936-291-5335 healthy choices and emotional and mental well-being. During the past year, the peer educators have been trained on a new curriculum through the Safe Prisons Program. This curriculum helps train offenders to avoid victimization and emphasizes that offender on offender assault is not to be expected or tolerated by offenders. A typical peer education course will last 4-8 hours and may be spread out over several days or weeks. The HIV portion covers the stages of HIV infection, how it is transmitted (and prevented), attitudes about HIV infected persons, whether to be tested for HIV, communicating with partners, and treatment. The hepatitis portion uses several of the HIV topics because of the similar ways the diseases are transmitted, but also includes information about transmission, treatment and prevention of hepatitis. Wall Talk is currently on 98 male and female units. Woman-to-Woman is currently on 9 units. Combining both Wall Talk and Woman-to Woman programs for the calendar year 2010 records show 70,573 offenders completed the course.

West Virginia

Religious Programs and Services

Wisconsin

We use a few volunteers to facilitate some Pre-Release curriculum components. This is especially in the Correctional Centers where we do not have established education programs because most inmates are there for relatively shorter periods.

Wyoming

AA/NA & Gamblers Class

None in education

None

We use only the Wisconsin Technical College System and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instructions certified instructors in all of our educational programs.

None

We used to use more inmate tutors but found that qualified staff do a much better job. We will always use inmates as tutors but in education our staff are the primary provider.

34 Total

Literacy Program Survey.xls (KS)

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