NCJ Number
53331
Journal
College Composition and Communication Volume: 26 Dated: (DECEMBER 1975) Pages: 362-364
Date Published
1975
Length
3 pages
Annotation
FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF A TEACHER IN A COLLEGE FRESHMAN ENGLISH CLASS TAUGHT AT A FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION, THE EXPERIENCES OF AN INMATE STUDENT IN THAT CLASS ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
IT IS NOTED THAT CREDIT-AWARDING COLLEGE CLASSES ARE OFFERED AT THE FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION NEAR LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY. IN ADDITION TO COLLEGE CLASSES, HIGH-SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY CERTIFICATION, SELF-THERAPY AND DIRECTED THERAPY, WORK AND STUDY RELEASE, EXTENSIVE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, AND A COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER PROGRAM PROVIDING FOR ESCORTED RESIDENT TRIPS TO ACTIVITIES IN THE SURROUNDING AREA ARE ALSO PROVIDED. THE PRINCIPLE FOCUS OF THIS ARTICLE, HOWEVER, IS UPON ONE INMATE, A PARAPLEGIC CONVICTED OF TRANSPORTING STOLEN VEHICLES ACROSS STATE LINES. HAVING ENTERED THE COLLEGE FRESHMAN ENGLISH CLASS WITH THE INTENTION OF IMPRESSING PRISON AUTHORITIES AND THE PAROLE BOARD WITH HIS COOPERATIVE BEHAVIOR, THE CONTENT AND STRUCTURE OF THE CLASS ITSELF--COMPOSITIONAL WRITING--PROVIDED THE INMATE WITH A TOOL FOR SELF-EXPRESSION AND SELF-ANALYSIS WHICH HELPED DIRECT HIS COMMITMENT TO HIS OWN REHABILITATION. AFTER SERVING 18 MONTHS OF A 3-YEAR SENTENCE, HE WAS RELEASED ON PAROLE IN NOVEMBER 1974. HE HAD, BY THAT TIME, ACCUMULATED 20 SEMESTER HOURS OF COLLEGE CREDIT AT A GRADE POINT AVERAGE OF 3.89 ON A 4.0 SCALE. AT THE TIME THIS ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN, HE WAS ENROLLED IN A 2-YEAR DEGREE PROGRAM AND WAS INVESTIGATING THE POSSIBILITY OF ENTERING A 4-YEAR PROGRAM IN SOCIAL WORK OR CORRECTIONS, WITH HIS GOAL BEING THAT OF EMPLOYMENT IN A FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION. WHILE THE AUTHOR CREDITS THE INMATE'S PERSONAL RESPONSES TO OPPORTUNITIES AS BEING CRUCIAL IN THE DIRECTION HIS LIFE TOOK, IT IS BELIEVED THE FORM OF HIS CHANGE COULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED WITHOUT THE EXISTENCE OF THE REHABILITATION PROGRAMS OFFERRED AT THE INSTITUTION. (RCB)