you [Music]
[Music]
[Music] welcome we’re going to have a
welcome we’re going to have a
welcome we’re going to have a conversation tonight or today I should
conversation tonight or today I should
conversation tonight or today I should say about the inside out prison exchange
say about the inside out prison exchange
say about the inside out prison exchange program this program was developed about
program this program was developed about
program this program was developed about 20 years ago out of Temple University
20 years ago out of Temple University
20 years ago out of Temple University with Lori pompe who developed the
with Lori pompe who developed the
with Lori pompe who developed the program and in Ohio we started teaching
program and in Ohio we started teaching
program and in Ohio we started teaching inside out classes in 2006 we actually
inside out classes in 2006 we actually
inside out classes in 2006 we actually offer classes now in nine different
offer classes now in nine different
offer classes now in nine different prisons in the state 13 different
prisons in the state 13 different
prisons in the state 13 different universities are involved all different
universities are involved all different
universities are involved all different kinds of course topics
kinds of course topics
kinds of course topics the basic premise taking university
the basic premise taking university
the basic premise taking university students into have class with
students into have class with
students into have class with incarcerated students so let’s hear from
incarcerated students so let’s hear from
incarcerated students so let’s hear from Brenda who offered the first inside out
Brenda who offered the first inside out
Brenda who offered the first inside out class in the women’s facility in Ohio at
class in the women’s facility in Ohio at
class in the women’s facility in Ohio at the Ohio Reformatory for women thanks
the Ohio Reformatory for women thanks
the Ohio Reformatory for women thanks Angela I took the training for inside
Angela I took the training for inside
Angela I took the training for inside out in 2011 had the first class at the
out in 2011 had the first class at the
out in 2011 had the first class at the women’s reformatory
women’s reformatory
women’s reformatory in 2012 the topic of my class is
in 2012 the topic of my class is
in 2012 the topic of my class is globalization we talk about problems
globalization we talk about problems
globalization we talk about problems facing developing nations and we put
facing developing nations and we put
facing developing nations and we put particular emphasis on the problems
particular emphasis on the problems
particular emphasis on the problems facing women in developing nations so I
facing women in developing nations so I
facing women in developing nations so I have this semester a group of 15 Ohio
have this semester a group of 15 Ohio
have this semester a group of 15 Ohio State students and every Wednesday
State students and every Wednesday
State students and every Wednesday evening we go out to the prison and we
evening we go out to the prison and we
evening we go out to the prison and we meet in a classroom with 15 women from
meet in a classroom with 15 women from
meet in a classroom with 15 women from the reformatory right now the groups are
the reformatory right now the groups are
the reformatory right now the groups are working on papers that they will present
working on papers that they will present
working on papers that they will present at their last class meeting great we’re
at their last class meeting great we’re
at their last class meeting great we’re also going to hear from two students who
also going to hear from two students who
also going to hear from two students who actually are considered the outside
actually are considered the outside
actually are considered the outside students from the University Geoffrey
students from the University Geoffrey
students from the University Geoffrey and Elizabeth and unfortunately Monica
and Elizabeth and unfortunately Monica
and Elizabeth and unfortunately Monica and Sondra who are currently inside
and Sondra who are currently inside
and Sondra who are currently inside students at orw couldn’t be with us
students at orw couldn’t be with us
students at orw couldn’t be with us today but we are going to hear from them
today but we are going to hear from them
today but we are going to hear from them via video so we want to start off with
via video so we want to start off with
via video so we want to start off with the first question around what this
the first question around what this
the first question around what this first night is like for the outside
first night is like for the outside
first night is like for the outside students and for the inside students as
students and for the inside students as
students and for the inside students as instructors something we know all too
instructors something we know all too
instructors something we know all too well is that the first night is
well is that the first night is
well is that the first night is nerve-racking for everybody
nerve-racking for everybody
nerve-racking for everybody so let’s first hear from Jeffrey
so let’s first hear from Jeffrey
so let’s first hear from Jeffrey was that first night like for you the
was that first night like for you the
was that first night like for you the first night the inside inside and
first night the inside inside and
first night the inside inside and outside students go to to set up parts
outside students go to to set up parts
outside students go to to set up parts of the room staring down each other
of the room staring down each other
of the room staring down each other afraid to intermingle one another the
afraid to intermingle one another the
afraid to intermingle one another the outside students may walk in with
outside students may walk in with
outside students may walk in with feeling like they’re not safe that these
feeling like they’re not safe that these
feeling like they’re not safe that these are criminals bad people but bad people
are criminals bad people but bad people
are criminals bad people but bad people and while the inside students might look
and while the inside students might look
and while the inside students might look at as college students of being uptight
at as college students of being uptight
at as college students of being uptight know-it-alls might be there to judge
know-it-alls might be there to judge
know-it-alls might be there to judge them and so there’s a bit of distress of
them and so there’s a bit of distress of
them and so there’s a bit of distress of the first night but over time we do like
the first night but over time we do like
the first night but over time we do like icebreakers and then we go on and do
icebreakers and then we go on and do
icebreakers and then we go on and do group discussions and get to know each
group discussions and get to know each
group discussions and get to know each other and we start to realize that we’re
other and we start to realize that we’re
other and we start to realize that we’re all people were human and that that
all people were human and that that
all people were human and that that prejudice between each other goes away
prejudice between each other goes away
prejudice between each other goes away great okay first up we’re going to
great okay first up we’re going to
great okay first up we’re going to actually hear from Sandra who’s an
actually hear from Sandra who’s an
actually hear from Sandra who’s an inside student in Brenda’s class the
inside student in Brenda’s class the
inside student in Brenda’s class the first night of inside out I was feeling
first night of inside out I was feeling
first night of inside out I was feeling very nervous very anxious but also very
very nervous very anxious but also very
very nervous very anxious but also very excited to start the group when we
excited to start the group when we
excited to start the group when we arrived the first thing that I noticed
arrived the first thing that I noticed
arrived the first thing that I noticed what had happened was that people had
what had happened was that people had
what had happened was that people had separated themselves from one another
separated themselves from one another
separated themselves from one another that the people on the outside sat with
that the people on the outside sat with
that the people on the outside sat with one another and the insiders all sat
one another and the insiders all sat
one another and the insiders all sat together dr. Cheney instructed us to
together dr. Cheney instructed us to
together dr. Cheney instructed us to then go around the room and introduce
then go around the room and introduce
then go around the room and introduce ourselves and say a few things about
ourselves and say a few things about
ourselves and say a few things about ourselves and that kind of broke the ice
ourselves and that kind of broke the ice
ourselves and that kind of broke the ice a little bit and then she had us go into
a little bit and then she had us go into
a little bit and then she had us go into smaller groups and the one thing that
smaller groups and the one thing that
smaller groups and the one thing that she asked was that insiders and
she asked was that insiders and
she asked was that insiders and Outsiders be together in a group and not
Outsiders be together in a group and not
Outsiders be together in a group and not separated anymore
separated anymore
separated anymore and before long we got on the subject of
and before long we got on the subject of
and before long we got on the subject of traveling and we found out that uh one
traveling and we found out that uh one
traveling and we found out that uh one of the youngest
of the youngest
of the youngest of our group an outsider she had
of our group an outsider she had
of our group an outsider she had traveled extensively like out of the
traveled extensively like out of the
traveled extensively like out of the United States to other countries and it
United States to other countries and it
United States to other countries and it was very interesting the interesting
was very interesting the interesting
was very interesting the interesting questions you might be thinking right
questions you might be thinking right
questions you might be thinking right now is why would you want to go take a
now is why would you want to go take a
now is why would you want to go take a class any class inside a prison or why
class any class inside a prison or why
class any class inside a prison or why would a college professor want to get
would a college professor want to get
would a college professor want to get trained to teach in prison so let’s ask
trained to teach in prison so let’s ask
trained to teach in prison so let’s ask that question of our guests Brenda why
that question of our guests Brenda why
that question of our guests Brenda why did you do the inside out training when
did you do the inside out training when
did you do the inside out training when I decided to major in sociology many
I decided to major in sociology many
I decided to major in sociology many years back I chose sociology as major
years back I chose sociology as major
years back I chose sociology as major because I went into study prison and
because I went into study prison and
because I went into study prison and when I was along the way I did work in a
when I was along the way I did work in a
when I was along the way I did work in a prison for a couple of years and then I
prison for a couple of years and then I
prison for a couple of years and then I went back to school and finished my PhD
went back to school and finished my PhD
went back to school and finished my PhD but mining interest has always been
but mining interest has always been
but mining interest has always been prison and what we as a society do to
prison and what we as a society do to
prison and what we as a society do to rule-breakers and how can we break the
rule-breakers and how can we break the
rule-breakers and how can we break the cycle of prison and one of the ways to
cycle of prison and one of the ways to
cycle of prison and one of the ways to do that is to change attitudes so in a
do that is to change attitudes so in a
do that is to change attitudes so in a very small way 15 people at a time
very small way 15 people at a time
very small way 15 people at a time inside out is changing attitudes great
inside out is changing attitudes great
inside out is changing attitudes great Jeffrey why did you take the class
Jeffrey why did you take the class
Jeffrey why did you take the class mainly out of curiosity I mean most of
mainly out of curiosity I mean most of
mainly out of curiosity I mean most of the time we’re sitting in classes
the time we’re sitting in classes
the time we’re sitting in classes reading at a textbook and when we get to
reading at a textbook and when we get to
reading at a textbook and when we get to go to the prison we could see it and
go to the prison we could see it and
go to the prison we could see it and real person and it’s unique experience
real person and it’s unique experience
real person and it’s unique experience to see it from the inside and see from
to see it from the inside and see from
to see it from the inside and see from the inside but the same time I also was
the inside but the same time I also was
the inside but the same time I also was at the first inside out and that was
at the first inside out and that was
at the first inside out and that was back in 2012 I actually dropped out of
back in 2012 I actually dropped out of
back in 2012 I actually dropped out of college temporary and over time dr.
college temporary and over time dr.
college temporary and over time dr. Cheney kept telling me to come back and
Cheney kept telling me to come back and
Cheney kept telling me to come back and I kept coming back doing the program and
I kept coming back doing the program and
I kept coming back doing the program and just like a lot of the inside students I
just like a lot of the inside students I
just like a lot of the inside students I started to get my thirst for education
started to get my thirst for education
started to get my thirst for education back and over time I decided to go back
back and over time I decided to go back
back and over time I decided to go back to school and now major in social work
to school and now major in social work
to school and now major in social work and I want to help people in in the
and I want to help people in in the
and I want to help people in in the prison system
prison system
prison system great Elizabeth I’m particularly
great Elizabeth I’m particularly
great Elizabeth I’m particularly interested in how you got involved in
interested in how you got involved in
interested in how you got involved in the class since you’re a biology major
the class since you’re a biology major
the class since you’re a biology major well I took introduction to sociology
well I took introduction to sociology
well I took introduction to sociology and I thought it was super fascinating
and I thought it was super fascinating
and I thought it was super fascinating and I have friends that took this class
and I have friends that took this class
and I have friends that took this class and he said you have to take this class
and he said you have to take this class
and he said you have to take this class it is life changing it’s amazing so I
it is life changing it’s amazing so I
it is life changing it’s amazing so I was like okay I mean I even live in
was like okay I mean I even live in
was like okay I mean I even live in Marysville
Marysville
Marysville so for sure I’ll take the class and it
so for sure I’ll take the class and it
so for sure I’ll take the class and it was indeed life changing it was it’s
was indeed life changing it was it’s
was indeed life changing it was it’s absolutely amazing it’s not it’s not fun
absolutely amazing it’s not it’s not fun
absolutely amazing it’s not it’s not fun going into a prison it’s kind of
going into a prison it’s kind of
going into a prison it’s kind of depressing but it’s really neat learning
depressing but it’s really neat learning
depressing but it’s really neat learning alongside these women about
alongside these women about
alongside these women about globalization and about other things too
globalization and about other things too
globalization and about other things too because we don’t always talk about
because we don’t always talk about
because we don’t always talk about globalization when we’re in our groups
globalization when we’re in our groups
globalization when we’re in our groups like we’re supposed to so yeah that’s
like we’re supposed to so yeah that’s
like we’re supposed to so yeah that’s why I took it okay let’s hear from the
why I took it okay let’s hear from the
why I took it okay let’s hear from the inside students first up we have Sondra
inside students first up we have Sondra
inside students first up we have Sondra I joined inside out because I was
I joined inside out because I was
I joined inside out because I was looking for a different kind of group to
looking for a different kind of group to
looking for a different kind of group to do that
do that
do that wasn’t just inmate facilitated something
wasn’t just inmate facilitated something
wasn’t just inmate facilitated something it really struck my interests
it really struck my interests
it really struck my interests well once I started coming to the inside
well once I started coming to the inside
well once I started coming to the inside out group I look forward every time to
out group I look forward every time to
out group I look forward every time to coming back and it’s something that I
coming back and it’s something that I
coming back and it’s something that I hope that once I leave here that I can
hope that once I leave here that I can
hope that once I leave here that I can come back and join and talk about my
come back and join and talk about my
come back and join and talk about my experiences with it I just feel like
experiences with it I just feel like
experiences with it I just feel like just having the conversation with people
just having the conversation with people
just having the conversation with people like people getting together and having
like people getting together and having
like people getting together and having discussion groups it’s a way of changing
discussion groups it’s a way of changing
discussion groups it’s a way of changing the world okay let’s hear from Monica
the world okay let’s hear from Monica
the world okay let’s hear from Monica why she took the class I actually
why she took the class I actually
why she took the class I actually received a pass to come to dr. Cheney
received a pass to come to dr. Cheney
received a pass to come to dr. Cheney soon slide out class by accident I was
soon slide out class by accident I was
soon slide out class by accident I was curious and so I talked to miss rate of
curious and so I talked to miss rate of
curious and so I talked to miss rate of awe and she told me to go ahead and go
awe and she told me to go ahead and go
awe and she told me to go ahead and go and see what was about so I continued to
and see what was about so I continued to
and see what was about so I continued to get passes I continued to go at the time
get passes I continued to go at the time
get passes I continued to go at the time it was a biweekly discussion for him and
it was a biweekly discussion for him and
it was a biweekly discussion for him and then I learned a new semester was going
then I learned a new semester was going
then I learned a new semester was going to begin in January so I was eager to
to begin in January so I was eager to
to begin in January so I was eager to sign up any opportunity for me to
sign up any opportunity for me to
sign up any opportunity for me to further educate
further educate
further educate myself and find something to do with my
myself and find something to do with my
myself and find something to do with my time is something I want to do to make
time is something I want to do to make
time is something I want to do to make the best of a bad situation
the best of a bad situation
the best of a bad situation so dr. Chaney and the students come in
so dr. Chaney and the students come in
so dr. Chaney and the students come in and we discuss different things we
and we discuss different things we
and we discuss different things we separate into groups and every time it
separate into groups and every time it
separate into groups and every time it just seems like you learn a little bit
just seems like you learn a little bit
just seems like you learn a little bit more about yourself and at the same time
more about yourself and at the same time
more about yourself and at the same time you learn a little bit more about the
you learn a little bit more about the
you learn a little bit more about the world so that’s why I think is the best
world so that’s why I think is the best
world so that’s why I think is the best way to explain why I attend is because I
way to explain why I attend is because I
way to explain why I attend is because I want to I want to be a better person
want to I want to be a better person
want to I want to be a better person when I leave here and for just a couple
when I leave here and for just a couple
when I leave here and for just a couple of hours a week at least it’s almost
of hours a week at least it’s almost
of hours a week at least it’s almost like I’m not where I’m at and I’m in a
like I’m not where I’m at and I’m in a
like I’m not where I’m at and I’m in a real classroom basically just got a
real classroom basically just got a
real classroom basically just got a discussion talking about school and she
discussion talking about school and she
discussion talking about school and she she has a son and right stay and she was
she has a son and right stay and she was
she has a son and right stay and she was real excited about the fact that she can
real excited about the fact that she can
real excited about the fact that she can sit have a kind of educational
sit have a kind of educational
sit have a kind of educational experience with other college students
experience with other college students
experience with other college students and yeah so it’s and I talked her into
and yeah so it’s and I talked her into
and yeah so it’s and I talked her into coming to do the inside out program next
coming to do the inside out program next
coming to do the inside out program next year next semester so I was going to add
year next semester so I was going to add
year next semester so I was going to add about why do we do this I think it is so
about why do we do this I think it is so
about why do we do this I think it is so important that I have started a second
important that I have started a second
important that I have started a second inside out program so in the fall inside
inside out program so in the fall inside
inside out program so in the fall inside out will be going to Marion Correctional
out will be going to Marion Correctional
out will be going to Marion Correctional Institution and in the spring of 18
Institution and in the spring of 18
Institution and in the spring of 18 we’ll be back at Ohio Reformatory for
we’ll be back at Ohio Reformatory for
we’ll be back at Ohio Reformatory for women again so that will be I will be
women again so that will be I will be
women again so that will be I will be spending a lot of time in prison yeah
spending a lot of time in prison yeah
spending a lot of time in prison yeah actually we tend to find more compassion
actually we tend to find more compassion
actually we tend to find more compassion and humanity in prison than a lot of
and humanity in prison than a lot of
and humanity in prison than a lot of folks want to believe and one of the
folks want to believe and one of the
folks want to believe and one of the things the inside students brought up is
things the inside students brought up is
things the inside students brought up is the fact that there aren’t higher
the fact that there aren’t higher
the fact that there aren’t higher education opportunities for people in
education opportunities for people in
education opportunities for people in prison that many let alone opportunities
prison that many let alone opportunities
prison that many let alone opportunities to be in a classroom with other college
to be in a classroom with other college
to be in a classroom with other college students and particularly for women and
students and particularly for women and
students and particularly for women and men’s serving life who are not eligible
men’s serving life who are not eligible
men’s serving life who are not eligible for any type of programming unless
for any type of programming unless
for any type of programming unless they’re close to five years to parole or
they’re close to five years to parole or
they’re close to five years to parole or release decisions so I know I don’t know
release decisions so I know I don’t know
release decisions so I know I don’t know if you want to say anything Brenda about
if you want to say anything Brenda about
if you want to say anything Brenda about the book group that you started to kind
the book group that you started to kind
the book group that you started to kind of address some of these concerns people
of address some of these concerns people
of address some of these concerns people in Ohio
in Ohio
in Ohio have life sentences are not allowed to
have life sentences are not allowed to
have life sentences are not allowed to take any education programs until they
take any education programs until they
take any education programs until they are within five years of their parole
are within five years of their parole
are within five years of their parole board for some people that means they
board for some people that means they
board for some people that means they will never be eligible for education so
will never be eligible for education so
will never be eligible for education so last year I started a book discussion
last year I started a book discussion
last year I started a book discussion group with the women doing life at the
group with the women doing life at the
group with the women doing life at the reformatory we’ve been reading a book
reformatory we’ve been reading a book
reformatory we’ve been reading a book called women doing life by Laura Lempert
called women doing life by Laura Lempert
called women doing life by Laura Lempert the group has been meeting every other
the group has been meeting every other
the group has been meeting every other week and when I initially started I
week and when I initially started I
week and when I initially started I thought we would go through the nine
thought we would go through the nine
thought we would go through the nine chapters of the book in two months or
chapters of the book in two months or
chapters of the book in two months or three months well we are now about
three months well we are now about
three months well we are now about halfway through the book after six
halfway through the book after six
halfway through the book after six months because the book speaks to the
months because the book speaks to the
months because the book speaks to the women and this is their only opportunity
women and this is their only opportunity
women and this is their only opportunity to have any type of educational
to have any type of educational
to have any type of educational experience
experience
experience Wow I’m also interested Elizabeth how
Wow I’m also interested Elizabeth how
Wow I’m also interested Elizabeth how did the inside-out class especially
did the inside-out class especially
did the inside-out class especially since you’re a biology major change kind
since you’re a biology major change kind
since you’re a biology major change kind of your perception of prison so I think
of your perception of prison so I think
of your perception of prison so I think that especially as a science major
that especially as a science major
that especially as a science major things tend to be more black-and-white
things tend to be more black-and-white
things tend to be more black-and-white for me that’s what I thought before
for me that’s what I thought before
for me that’s what I thought before taking this program I thought okay bad
taking this program I thought okay bad
taking this program I thought okay bad people go to prison like they’re in
people go to prison like they’re in
people go to prison like they’re in there because they did something wrong
there because they did something wrong
there because they did something wrong but I think I think it’s definitely more
but I think I think it’s definitely more
but I think I think it’s definitely more complicated than that and it’s
complicated than that and it’s
complicated than that and it’s definitely changed how I view prison how
definitely changed how I view prison how
definitely changed how I view prison how I view the people that go to prison I
I view the people that go to prison I
I view the people that go to prison I think that most of the people are in
think that most of the people are in
think that most of the people are in there because of missed opportunities
there because of missed opportunities
there because of missed opportunities maybe because they don’t have the same
maybe because they don’t have the same
maybe because they don’t have the same support systems that we do and one of
support systems that we do and one of
support systems that we do and one of the things I noticed was that most of
the things I noticed was that most of
the things I noticed was that most of the women are in there for drugs I just
the women are in there for drugs I just
the women are in there for drugs I just I think that is so interesting because I
I think that is so interesting because I
I think that is so interesting because I don’t understand why we would imprison
don’t understand why we would imprison
don’t understand why we would imprison someone for an addiction which we now
someone for an addiction which we now
someone for an addiction which we now know to be a disease instead of helping
know to be a disease instead of helping
know to be a disease instead of helping them some other way so and
them some other way so and
them some other way so and touching on the life the life er subject
touching on the life the life er subject
touching on the life the life er subject many some of the women in our class are
many some of the women in our class are
many some of the women in our class are in there for life and this is one of the
in there for life and this is one of the
in there for life and this is one of the only programs that that they can do
only programs that that they can do
only programs that that they can do there are other programs at the prison
there are other programs at the prison
there are other programs at the prison like working with animals some
like working with animals some
like working with animals some vocational programs as well and they
vocational programs as well and they
vocational programs as well and they can’t do those so this is one of the
can’t do those so this is one of the
can’t do those so this is one of the only programs that they can that they
only programs that they can that they
only programs that they can that they can come to so I thought I thought that
can come to so I thought I thought that
can come to so I thought I thought that was sad yeah
was sad yeah
was sad yeah frankly let’s hear from monica the
frankly let’s hear from monica the
frankly let’s hear from monica the inside student not of course about how
inside student not of course about how
inside student not of course about how her perception of prison changed through
her perception of prison changed through
her perception of prison changed through inside out but maybe her perception of
inside out but maybe her perception of
inside out but maybe her perception of college shaped or reshaped as a result
college shaped or reshaped as a result
college shaped or reshaped as a result of inside out any time in the past that
of inside out any time in the past that
of inside out any time in the past that i ever heard about educational classes
i ever heard about educational classes
i ever heard about educational classes or even college classes being offered to
or even college classes being offered to
or even college classes being offered to prisoners I am never really gave it much
prisoners I am never really gave it much
prisoners I am never really gave it much thought I know we discussed that before
thought I know we discussed that before
thought I know we discussed that before about how you know we would you know the
about how you know we would you know the
about how you know we would you know the idea of people having an opportunity to
idea of people having an opportunity to
idea of people having an opportunity to better themselves being on inside the
better themselves being on inside the
better themselves being on inside the system was a great thing and I never
system was a great thing and I never
system was a great thing and I never would have imagined that the tables will
would have imagined that the tables will
would have imagined that the tables will be turned and I’d be in the position
be turned and I’d be in the position
be turned and I’d be in the position that I am so I’m very fortunate to have
that I am so I’m very fortunate to have
that I am so I’m very fortunate to have those opportunities and to be able to
those opportunities and to be able to
those opportunities and to be able to take advantage of doing different
take advantage of doing different
take advantage of doing different educational courses and groups such as
educational courses and groups such as
educational courses and groups such as inside out
inside out
inside out when dr. Cheney and the students come
when dr. Cheney and the students come
when dr. Cheney and the students come into the class it’s refreshing so they
into the class it’s refreshing so they
into the class it’s refreshing so they bring current events into conversation
bring current events into conversation
bring current events into conversation and so on and it’s so it’s almost it’s
and so on and it’s so it’s almost it’s
and so on and it’s so it’s almost it’s just a different take on things at times
just a different take on things at times
just a different take on things at times it’s like getting away for a little bit
it’s like getting away for a little bit
it’s like getting away for a little bit to discuss current events social issues
to discuss current events social issues
to discuss current events social issues and entertainment and so on like I said
and entertainment and so on like I said
and entertainment and so on like I said before to I’ve been grateful to be a
before to I’ve been grateful to be a
before to I’ve been grateful to be a part of something like that and it’s
part of something like that and it’s
part of something like that and it’s even made me rethink my own college
even made me rethink my own college
even made me rethink my own college education I have an associate’s degree
education I have an associate’s degree
education I have an associate’s degree that I obtained in 2004 and all of my
that I obtained in 2004 and all of my
that I obtained in 2004 and all of my classes except for a couple of
classes except for a couple of
classes except for a couple of independent studies were in a classroom
independent studies were in a classroom
independent studies were in a classroom setting so to see the students come into
setting so to see the students come into
setting so to see the students come into a
a
a Prison setting is very interesting so I
Prison setting is very interesting so I
Prison setting is very interesting so I believe we want to take advantage of
believe we want to take advantage of
believe we want to take advantage of everything that I can
everything that I can
everything that I can while ARW and even once I leave beyond
while ARW and even once I leave beyond
while ARW and even once I leave beyond that I want to go ahead and continue my
that I want to go ahead and continue my
that I want to go ahead and continue my education and at least finish my
education and at least finish my
education and at least finish my bachelor’s degree so so what are some
bachelor’s degree so so what are some
bachelor’s degree so so what are some things that we want folks to take away
things that we want folks to take away
things that we want folks to take away from learning about the inside out
from learning about the inside out
from learning about the inside out prison exchange class Brenda what I
prison exchange class Brenda what I
prison exchange class Brenda what I would like people should take away from
would like people should take away from
would like people should take away from inside out is what my students I want my
inside out is what my students I want my
inside out is what my students I want my students to take away is changes and
students to take away is changes and
students to take away is changes and attitudes different ways of looking at
attitudes different ways of looking at
attitudes different ways of looking at prison and people who are in prison for
prison and people who are in prison for
prison and people who are in prison for my inside students I want them to feel
my inside students I want them to feel
my inside students I want them to feel like they can go to college many of the
like they can go to college many of the
like they can go to college many of the students dropped out of high school and
students dropped out of high school and
students dropped out of high school and have prison gd’s and they take my class
have prison gd’s and they take my class
have prison gd’s and they take my class and they write papers they do research
and they write papers they do research
and they write papers they do research papers just like the outside students do
papers just like the outside students do
papers just like the outside students do and I tell them that means you can go to
and I tell them that means you can go to
and I tell them that means you can go to college you can do this and I want them
college you can do this and I want them
college you can do this and I want them to leave prison and know that education
to leave prison and know that education
to leave prison and know that education is an option for them speaking of that
is an option for them speaking of that
is an option for them speaking of that did you want to say something first
did you want to say something first
did you want to say something first before I oh well I just I just wanted to
before I oh well I just I just wanted to
before I oh well I just I just wanted to say that one of the things that really
say that one of the things that really
say that one of the things that really shocked me when I was going into prison
shocked me when I was going into prison
shocked me when I was going into prison was how similar I was to the women there
was how similar I was to the women there
was how similar I was to the women there a lot of them are my age they’re our age
a lot of them are my age they’re our age
a lot of them are my age they’re our age and I mean we have more similarities
and I mean we have more similarities
and I mean we have more similarities than differences so great great speaking
than differences so great great speaking
than differences so great great speaking to what Brenda said I think one of the
to what Brenda said I think one of the
to what Brenda said I think one of the things we really need to think about is
things we really need to think about is
things we really need to think about is you know some of the speakers have
you know some of the speakers have
you know some of the speakers have talked about going outside of our
talked about going outside of our
talked about going outside of our comfort zone you know whether that’s for
comfort zone you know whether that’s for
comfort zone you know whether that’s for an educational experience like inside
an educational experience like inside
an educational experience like inside out you can take some classes as we
out you can take some classes as we
out you can take some classes as we mentioned that are offered year-round
mentioned that are offered year-round
mentioned that are offered year-round through the Ohio State University or
through the Ohio State University or
through the Ohio State University or it’s just going outside of your own
it’s just going outside of your own
it’s just going outside of your own house actually or your own community or
house actually or your own community or
house actually or your own community or your own campus to get to know the other
your own campus to get to know the other
your own campus to get to know the other right and sharing those experiences but
right and sharing those experiences but
right and sharing those experiences but I think you also heard loud and clear
I think you also heard loud and clear
I think you also heard loud and clear from all of us including the women that
from all of us including the women that
from all of us including the women that we need more higher education program
we need more higher education program
we need more higher education program and education in general in prisons
and education in general in prisons
and education in general in prisons because 95% of these folks are getting
because 95% of these folks are getting
because 95% of these folks are getting out at some point in time and we know
out at some point in time and we know
out at some point in time and we know higher education has the best benefit in
higher education has the best benefit in
higher education has the best benefit in terms of reducing recidivism the other
terms of reducing recidivism the other
terms of reducing recidivism the other thing is we need to make it more
thing is we need to make it more
thing is we need to make it more accessible for when they get out the
accessible for when they get out the
accessible for when they get out the Ohio State University in other places
Ohio State University in other places
Ohio State University in other places around this country need to ban the box
around this country need to ban the box
around this country need to ban the box and quit asking applicants if they have
and quit asking applicants if they have
and quit asking applicants if they have a criminal background because they’ve
a criminal background because they’ve
a criminal background because they’ve done their time they’ve served their
done their time they’ve served their
done their time they’ve served their punishment and if they’re at the stage
punishment and if they’re at the stage
punishment and if they’re at the stage of life where they’re trying to actually
of life where they’re trying to actually
of life where they’re trying to actually get a degree that means they are no harm
get a degree that means they are no harm
get a degree that means they are no harm to any of us at this point in time so I
to any of us at this point in time so I
to any of us at this point in time so I want to thank first of all Monica and
want to thank first of all Monica and
want to thank first of all Monica and Sondra who couldn’t be with us to
Sondra who couldn’t be with us to
Sondra who couldn’t be with us to participate live and of course the
participate live and of course the
participate live and of course the panelists Brenda Jeffery and Elizabeth
panelists Brenda Jeffery and Elizabeth
panelists Brenda Jeffery and Elizabeth and thank all of you for coming today
and thank all of you for coming today
and thank all of you for coming today and listening to us
and listening to us
and listening to us [Applause]
”
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