Day 23: Prison Schools Lose Classes, Teachers
Throughout the month of August, The Texas Tribune is featuring 31 ways Texans' lives will change come Sept. 1, the date most bills passed by the Legislature — including the dramatically reduced budget — take effect. Check out our story calendar here.
Day 23: The state's prison education system, known as the Windham School District, eliminates or reduces classes for offenders after the Legislature cuts its budget by $35.6 million.
It's hard to argue for protecting the right of incarcerated criminals to an education when the state is also reducing public school spending for its children by nearly $4 ...
Comments (21)
Some Othername
OH NOOOOO
Will they still get free Medical, Dental, Housing, Food, Clothing, Laundry Service on the "Criminal Retirement Plan?"
Mary Lynn VanZandt Neill via Texas Tribune on Facebook
This nightmare is unending!! Incredible!
David Huang via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Who needs to rehabilitate when you can just keep them locked up or cycle the system forever?
Aldo Merino via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Counterproductive and somewhat cruel to say the least. It's bad enough we incarcerate far too many people and then offer them few programs for rehabilitation and reintegration into society; when you slash what little remains, it's not rocket science to figure out where these men and women will end up.
Martin Hyman via Texas Tribune on Facebook
When will Tom DeLay be going to jail? Then they will fully fund it!
Erica Bozovich Hart via Texas Tribune on Facebook
YAY more jobs lost :\ (in addition to all the aforementioned issues)
Tom Sweazea via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Yes, let's make more ticking timebombs in prisons.
Lance Lowry via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Reentry programs ranging from Windham ISD, Texas Correctional Industries, and Project Rio have saved the state millions more than they have cost. It would be a poor investment to cut these programs anymore.
Which released offender do you want coming to your neighborhood, the uneducated gang member with no job skills or the reformed convict who has learned a new trade and is ready to become a productive member of society??? Offenders are greatly influenced by their environment.
Viola Firth
Virtually any social program one can name will be defended to the death as "essential" by its supporters (particularly by those who earn their living from funding said program. As a veteran educator in Texas public schools and administrator in Texas community colleges, and as an outside evaluator of prison educational and training programs on the East Coast, I advise Windham to spend the majority of its funds in the coming year on evaluating past results, building software programs to improve evaluation, and plan to report to the Governor, legislature, and press in quarterly increments. At the very least, the following should be measured: (1) literacy, math, and English speaking skills of entering students; illegal aliens; (2) instructional time for each student; (3) credentials of instructor---does he or she have training or education IN THE DISCIPLINE taught; (4) specific progression toward goal--does student progress from third to tenth grade level in reading, math within 2 months, 10 months, etc.? (5) How are individual goals set? Is it based on the time projected for incarceration? Entry level scores, etc.?; (6) recidivism after release; (7) job attainment, income, & length of employment, etc. You get the picture. Such an evaluation system would be far more informative than plaintive calls for more funding. If the system is working well and saving the State money overall, then by all means continue it with increase funding in direct correlation to the money saved; if not, forget it.
Karla Bevel via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Such a shame ... we need education for rehabilitation and reintegration ... if you're not going to educate, there's no hope to rehabilitate.
Jasmine Montgomery
I'm always amused at how uneducated people are about the prison system but yet they're the most opinionated judgmental people I see. Which is a reference to the person who isn't bold enough to actually have their name listed and have to put--Some Othername to make rude, uneducated, and judgmental comments on this site.
Rehabilitation is key to prevent recidivism. I feel the more educated that that a person can be the more aware that they are with the knowledge and opportunities that lie before them and can help achieve success and perhaps break the cycle. However, once you're released you're back to the same ol' same ol'--trying to make ends meet in a society that shun away ex-offenders from housing and job opportunities. I'm very sad to see opportunities close-up like this and prevent a successful reintegration with society for an offender.
Some Othername
Hey, Jasmine Montgomery (IF that's your real name, which isn't too bright to post publicly; after 3 degrees and working security for MSN, I'd be glad to educate you on that some time)
you state"
"is key to prevent recidivism. I feel the more educated that that a person can be"
I have an idea, educate them prior to their first criminal offense then. Perhaps they'll get a real job and not need the taxpayer retirement system.
Some Othername
Hey, Jasmine Montgomery
Look up the definition of the word "feel" It appears you misused it where you probably mean "think."
Some Othername
Hey, Jasmine Montgomery
If you don't want to use the word "think" you could use "opine" since it's just your opinion.
Still, it isn't a feeling.
Jasmine Montgomery
@Some Othername: Your logic arguments are very funny because they consist of personal attacks and small remarks that offer no possible solution or ideal to your statements.
First, as for public posting my name--honestly doesn't bug me anymore. If that's your logic then perhaps you should "educate" people in general that post their names across the internet on websites, Facebook, and Twitter accounts. Oh, not to mention publicly do press releases, various interviews in in the media (newspapers, radio, television, magazines, on the internet). Times are changing and it happens. To each their own on that one!
If you feel secure with your screen name as "some othername" and come on here to make judgmental, close-minded remarks and hide behind that screen name then so be it. It happens.
As for your ideal, I'm sure that will graciously work educating someone prior to committing their first offense. Especially, when Texas is doing massive budget cuts towards towards education and educational opportunities is shrinking along with that. Plus, we are products of our environment, influences, and society. So, perhaps a person does something that leads them to prison or jail--if there is an opportunity and they're willing to take advantage of it and make the best of their situation so be it. Some people may not realize oh, I can do this skill, trade, job or go to college and so forth. It's really amazing what a little opportunity can do in certain situations.
But then again it takes a person knowledgeable about the Texas Prison System and Windham School to know that many Offenders do pay out of pocket to take the classes; many grants that are available to them out here are available to them in prison that are available to the average person out here; and so on. Its not all free but shame now that these opportunities are closing up. For the small "free" programs and classes that are offered--I think they're wonderful. G.E.D. Programs and Pre-G.E.D. Programs and other related programs to help re-program the institutional mind is another opportunity.
These programs and opportunities are not available to all in prison. You have to be able to quality, be at the right unit, and son. Interesting I would think logically a person would want someone to be able to be aware and educated so they can come home and be a productive member of society and have the job skills necessary to obtain a job so they don't go back to prison--which saves tax dollars but to you its easier for them to return and spend countless tax dollars.
If you want to state that my feelings about a particular topic is what you define as an opinion, so be it. Its simple grammar and that's something so petty to argue about. It's a word choice. I'm surprised someone who is as educated and professional as yourself can pick such a petty thing to attack to feel better about the judgmental remarks I stated you made.
joy bragg
Jasmine and some other name...why are you guys arguing? Does not matter what either of you think...the bottom line is that there is no money to fund it...unless you guys know how how to squeeze blood out of a turnip...there is no need to have "bunches"....When money comes available again funding will probably continue...it's not like the prisoners are going anywhere soon....now when I hear that they have to release all the prisoners because there is no money left to house them...WE ALL NEED TO GET EXCITED....until then....take a sip of tea, girls...fan...sip..fan... sip...breathe...chill
joy bragg
Some othername...I could use some of that free dental, medical......but I don't care for the room-mate plan.
Jasmine Montgomery
@ joy bragg
I'm very glad you managed to butt your opinion into a conversation between two people, regardless if its a debate, argument, exchanging of ideas because if it doesn't matter with neither of us think then it certainly does not matter what you think or what your opinion is about. Therefore, there was no reason to make a statement.
As for the logic of TDCJ-ID Offenders not going anywhere any time soon--are you speaking about the TDCJ-ID Offenders that have long-term Sentences? Or, the ones that have short-term sentences? Or, perhaps the one that were granted parole and are on their way out? I would assume that meant for those with long-term Sentences and perhaps some with short term sentences because certainly some are going somewhere sometime soon--discharged and/or on parole.
When I hear that they're releasing TDCJ-ID Offenders because lack of funding then I probably would be SUPER EXCITED and jumping for joy myself. I don't know about you but I highly doubt it would be the same reason for the excitement because for me that means I will have my husband home but either way before that happens he probably will already be home.
joy bragg
Jasmine ..u have anger issues, maybe thats what you and you hubby had in common...I understand why he's locked up...I'm wondering ..why are you still out here? Your response to my comment is very "primal". ...hmmm "butt in" i have not heard words like that since elementary school ...during playground fights...education is not the answer for you or your husband...people like you ...don't want help...you would rather fight...please share your anger with someone who is "moved " by it or enjoys primitive interaction...sharing your anger or bitter responses with me... is a total waste..i am not concerned....at all...toodles ; ).
Jasmine Montgomery
@ joy bragg
I love how you attacked me based on a "primal" response. If my post(s) never concerned you at all then you certainly wouldn't take it upon yourself to attack me and accuse me of things. I think you would simply just move on and let it be. Apparently, you responded so it does concern you. That's really all I have to say. I was raised to be classy and as educated as I am I learn not attack to people in a public forum but "talk" with them through a post or two. I would think this is called conversing but it seems not everyone understands that. I will get back to where the original reason this comment board exist--to discuss opportunities that are no longer there for those housed at TDCJ-ID Units and/or Texas State Jails.
Education should be an option to people no matter if they're in prison and/or out here in the world. I think is a shame that an opportunity like this is drying up.
joy bragg
Jasmine who attacked you? Jasmine find someone else to fight with...yawn