Archives for TEACH

Finding freedom behind bars

Finding freedom behind bars

October 30, 2018 | No Comments

October 24, 2018  By The Buccaneer By Sarah R Baker Originally posted at: http://www.passthebuc.com/2018/10/finding-freedom-behind-bars/ The patterned linoleum tiles, the overhead lights toeing the line between bright and harsh, and the cork boards covered in colorful construction paper and cut-out animals are reminiscent of anyone’s elementary school. The nostalgic smell of finger-paint and gooey cafeteria lunches feel like they might waft in at any second. The courtyard gives off a similar feeling, displaying perfectly trimmed grass and sporadic clusters of flowers and greenery any kid would want to trample or pick for favorite teachers during recess. But this isn’t a school. It’s
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Black Prisoners’ Caucus Youth Summit (Shelton)

Black Prisoners’ Caucus Youth Summit (Shelton)

February 28, 2018 | No Comments

Originally posted at http://www.doc.wa.gov/news/2018/02232018.htm February 23, 2018 By DOC Communications (email) SHELTON – The Black Prisoners Caucus (BPC) at the Washington Corrections Center in Shelton hosted a Youth Summit. The panel was comprised of 11 incarcerated men who shared their stories of what led to their incarceration. The men also shared their recommendations for the 125 community partners in attendance on how their work with youth could impact and decrease incarceration rates. The community members included representation from youth detention centers, prosecutors, professors, juvenile advocates, Village of Hope staff, local Boys and Girls Club representatives and legislatures. No youth were
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Prisoners taking TEACH-ING to a whole new level

Prisoners taking TEACH-ING to a whole new level

November 10, 2017 | No Comments

The idea of using college course in Arts, Humanities, Natural and Social Sciences as a tool for prison reform can be seen as progressive, but when the same classes are being taught by prisoners to the inmate population as a way of creating a liberating learning community that is committed to reform, it becomes more that progressive it becomes revolutionary! TEACH was created in 2013 as a college program that started off offering college level classes like world literature, biology and college math at Clallam Bay Corrections Center. TEACH, which is an acronym for Taking Education And Creating History, was
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Letter to the community – BPC Clallam Bay

Letter to the community – BPC Clallam Bay

October 23, 2017 | No Comments

Dear Community and Educators, This letter is written by the Black Prisoners’ Caucus in the essence of truth, love and an endless thirst for cultural refinement and education. Therefore, we hope that this letter is received in good health and great spirits. As the BPC, we are organized to promote the growth and development of African Americans inside the Washington State prison system. We encourage cultural competency among all prisoners, spiritual growth, education and literacy as a way to bridge the cultural divide that prevents prisoners from collectively working together. The BPC helps men strengthen their values so they can
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Creating a college behind bars

Creating a college behind bars

December 18, 2016 | 1 Comment

Originally posted at https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2016/1202/Creating-a-college-behind-bars How inmates in Washington State are trying to improve their lives so they can cope better after they’re released from prison. December 16, 2016 by Ann Scott Tyson CLALLAM BAY, WASH. — Up a lonely road lined with signs warning drivers not to pick up hitchhikers, on a hilltop surrounded by forest, the Clallam Bay Corrections Center at the northwest tip of Washington State feels like the ends of the earth. Yet behind the high walls and concertina wire, inmate Kimonti Carter is spending his 20th year behind bars striving for learning and connection. “We want to
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Coding bootcamp aims to keep people out of prison

Coding bootcamp aims to keep people out of prison

August 11, 2016 | No Comments

Originally posted at http://crosscut.com/2016/08/can-coding-create-a-future-for-people-behind-bars/ August 9, 2016 by Caroline Halter If the increasing popularity of coding bootcamps is any indication, more and more people are looking at computer science as a pathway to job security and higher earnings. But what if coding could help break the cycle of incarceration, an issue that affects more than two million Americans each year? This is the idea behind Unloop, a nonprofit that aims to train inmates in Washington prisons to become entry-level web developers. Co-founded by David Almeida — who has spent the last four years working on business strategy at Microsoft — the
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Chipping Away at the Cultural Wall

Chipping Away at the Cultural Wall

February 28, 2016 | No Comments

Originally posted at http://www.doc.wa.gov/news/2016/02282016.htm February 28, 2016 By Andrew Garber DOC Communications 5 TEACH students (Tim Kelly , DOC Communications) CLALLAM BAY – Behind the concertina wire and concrete walls, dozens of inmates gather in classrooms each day to discuss math, politics, religion, history and even creative writing. While some of the classes are for college credit, most are held just for the sake of learning. And the courses are rapidly growing in popularity among inmates, who credit them not only with increasing their understanding of the world, but also with breaking down racial and cultural barriers. “It’s helping us bridge gaps,” said
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