NCJ Number
187030
Journal
Corrections Technology and Management Volume: 5 Issue: 1 Dated: January/February 2001 Pages: 28-33
Date Published
2001
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article examines the nature and effectiveness of the State correctional programs that are training inmates to transcribe braille inside their facilities.
Abstract
In 1984 the Wrightsville unit of the Arkansas Department of Corrections instigated a job training project in which eight people were selected to begin the task of becoming certified braille transcribers through the Library of Congress. The inmates who applied were required to have a high school diploma or GED and to have at least 2 years left on their prison terms. Computers are currently used in the transcription of the printed material into braille. Also, through the use of computerized techniques, the tactile maps, graphs, and other necessary illustrations are created. The resulting materials must be meticulously proofread to provide blind and visually impaired users with books and manuals that are used for high school and college classes. The Department of Corrections in Nebraska also has a transcribing program at its State Penitentiary in Lincoln. The program currently has 14 men who are certified transcribers. The remainder of the men, approximately 34, work to copy large print books to be used by the visually impaired. The medical facility at Vacaville, which is part of the California Department of Corrections, has an audio transcription program for the visually impaired that began more than 40 years ago. Transcribers continually work on upgrading their skills at reading on tapes. The Vacaville Volunteers do not just reproduce educational materials, but also books for recreational reading on tape by blind and visually impaired clients.