Lawmakers Target Texas Prison School for Makeover
As state lawmakers combed the budget this year for cuts to close a multibillion-dollar shortfall, some leaders focused on a line item that usually draws little attention: the Windham School District, which received more than $128 million in 2010-11 to provide education to inmates in the state’s sprawling prison system.
Lawmakers will most likely cut that number significantly in the 2012-13 budget, and that could be just the beginning of big changes to come.
“The structure itself screams out for change, screams out for renovation and innovation,” said state Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano and chairwoman of the Senate Education ...
Comments (9)
Gary Brewton
In this article about education, one might hope that the Texas Tribune would keep its principles clear.
David Spratt
As with the education system in general it should be addressed. Education within the Prison system is one of the main programs to try and prepare them for a productive life in the free world. For those serving sentences of shorter terms where they will be released into society, rehabilitation should be a key effort rather than focusing on the punishment aspect. The numbers may be somewhat misleading. Total numbers of students as to GED's acquired may not be all that relevant. Many may be discharged not having gained a GED yet. Especially if their sentences were 3 or 4 years or less and they had no skills at all entering into the system.
Gritsforbreakfast
I'm not sure what's the newshook for this story. This debate occurred a couple of months ago and I don't see any new information here.
Legendary Keystones
This is a poorly written article that focuses more on incorrect and outdated information than anything. Work harder Ms. Grissom. This information is skewed to the favor of Shapiro and Whitmire. The comments given by Shapiro and Whitmire are goofy. They have no ammo against WSD; just sound bites that lesser reporters and papers pick up on. First, WSD got $128 million for two years so divide that in half if you want to quote numbers. Second, 90 school locations, 60 principals...Does that add up? Sure it sounds high but already the average principal has 1.5 school locations to oversee. Have you ever looked at a map of the WSD locations? Let's point some fingers at the Lege for their short sighted vision in building prisons in every corner of the state. As for Mr. Turner, any state agency can use less administrators. So since he is an inside employee, tell us, the people, what administrators can be cut and how this will work efficiently. Further, Ms. Grissom, why do you choose to not report on TDCJ's shortcomings? TDCJ cannot even keep the offenders, inmates is an old term, behind the fence. TDCJ cannot stem the cell phone issues. More focus needs to be placed on TDCJ to assist with their needs, not Windham. TDCJ needs more staff, better pay. Ms. Grissom, have you ask Whitmire what he will do when one of the offenders who is released with no education robs him? Probably scream like a baby... Windham needs certified, experienced teachers. Education can help solve the socio-economic problems that most offenders will face by giving them job skills and a lesson on proper life. Coming from the Texas Tribune, I would have expected better reporting. This is nothing but a rehash. No matter who the education is for, convict or free world child, it is important. Texas ranks 44th in the nation in education. Put some heat on the Lege instead of being their friend...your sales and readership will skyrocket.
Legendary Keystones
BTW Ms. Grissom...
Since you have access to Shapiro, ask her how closely related her business interests are with a company called Blackboard, Inc. That is a story I would love to see printed...
Jeff Heckler
As an advocate for prison reform, probation, drug and alcohol programs -- I would ordinarily support this program except for one glaring problem -- it doesn't work and never really did.
What Legendary Keystones fails to mention is that legislators have been wondering what to do to about Windham for about 20 or so years. Those of us who bothered to watch closely along the way - people whom recognized the value of reentry and job placement - could not figure how to construct something other than Windham. Even though its effectiveness was lacking
Windham needs to be changed -- not only for hue outrageous expense but to give qualified inmates a REAL chance on success and not based on the failed model and it's equally ineffective reentry program of Project Rio.
Many of the state's systems have morphed into economic development opportuntiew and their missions are left in he dust. State hospitals, state schools, Windham and others -- are more about the local jobs they create than the public good they were created for.
And for Gritsforbreakfast - the newsworthiness is the fact that while exposed no one is doing anything substantive about it. Wasting money, lives while we troll for dollars in seat cushions is newsworthy enough for me.
Legendary Keystones
Mr. Heckler is spot on truly...economics ruled the period when Windham was created and expanded. But I disagree about the huge waste. Legendary Keystones employs 3 ex-offenders straight out of vocational programs at Windham. The ex-offenders have been excellent employees and were trained equally as well. I believe that Windham has a place for sure. Taking the school district qualification out cuts the federal funding and creates a myriad of issues.
Project RIO was a working program at one time...until the budget cuts and the death knell, it being handed to TDCJ. TDCJ has one mission: incarcerate. There is no rehab. Windham is the only thing that an offender has going for them inside a broken, broken system. The reincarcation of TDC into TDCJ created major institutional problems.
BUT should Windham need a change, let's leave it up to people who know what changes are needed. The Lege is unqualified and they should not make policy period. Shapiro or Whitmire are unqualified to judge and create. TDCJ standards dictate what Windham gets to do and not do.
I agree though Mr. Heckler, there is always room for improvement. I find the Windham staff to be very responsive and forthcoming. I have dealt directly with them for a number of years and believe they are a professional group of people.
Remember, people have bled for Windham School District and TDCJ; they get very little acknowledgement. Check out YouTube's Huntsville Prison Riot 1974... While you are there, check out One Good Reason, a video posted by our organization on this matter.
Jeff Heckler
I do appreciate that people have put heart and soul into Windham. But let me ask you this.... I liked my old IBM Selectric Typewiter.... But I would never trade in my computers. Not trying to be banal, but things move on -- many times for the better.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons uses a virtual school component . And it seems to work. The military uses it. Reguar folks use It thru U of Phoenix. I'm not talking about eliminating the personal instructional component or the vocational piece, but an Intranet ( not Internet) instructional piece can work.
More importantly, there are so many ways to find jobs post release thru the way EVERYONE ELSE ON THE PLANET is looking for work. On the web.
I'm not trying to be critical but constructive. Sometimes when it's not working you need to do something else. Times change.
Plus the last thing I would want is the legislature saying that "we are cutting public schools 7 billion why should we fund prison education at 100 million" If Windham wants not keep in front of this - they Need to embrace the times with new, best practices or get whittled away by politicians who really couldn't care less
Legendary Keystones
Mr. Heckler, I agree that change could be implemented...But when you have over half of your school population not even capable of reading, is it really going to work? I believe that for the qualified 12.0 EA score student that an "Intranet" instruction method is possible. Thats entirely possible, but you will still need an certified educator to assist. Education should be a priority period. But the Lege must do something about school finance first before anything can happen that is worthwhile. The current Lege (along with the previous Lege's) are more concerned about reelection than doing what is right.
The Project RIO system was not setup right. Ex-Offenders need a resource that is tied to TDCJ/Windham. The employers would be aware they were hiring these offenders first off. It is extremely hard for an ex-offender to get a job flipping burgers much less something more stable and forthcoming. This could be handled easily without much fanfare or issue. It would be a simple job board for offenders...No agency or major staffing required. In fact you could probably get Monster or other sites to host it.
And I agree with you on the fact that Windham must change with the times...BUT BUT BUT TDCJ must also do the same. Remember, TDCJ was the last correctional, ahem criminal justice, division to add phone systems for offenders. TDCJ hampers Windham. Change is a bad word over at TDCJ Hdq too. Without a progressive organization leading the charge, Windham is forced to stay in the dark ages. Windham has made some major leaps in the past three years too. No one has mentioned the fact that the Lege gave Windham more money for vocational type programs that will now be taken back. Wasteful spending by any standard.
Public schools are losing funds yes. It is a given. But does a public school need a police department? Does it have to have the robust athletics department that many possess. Schools are RIFfing teachers but coaches, game on. It is a problem in our schools at the local level and state level. We are still conducting business like it was the 80's. I feel no remorse for the public school system. The priorities are wrong, completely wrong. I say TEA should be the agency defunded...Now there's a battle.