NLA Discussion: prison literacy

[Dominique Brillanceau]

This is in response to Maria Elena Gonzalez's message.

        Far from being an expert in the matter, (Experts, could you jump in
please?)I want to respond right away to Ms Gonzalez's concern and query
about funding.
        While I don't know how each state decides or manages its budget for
correction education, there is at least federal funding that comes in, in
the form of the Adult Basic Education grant. "No less than 10% of the grant
shall be used for corrections education and education for other
institutionalized adults."
        The best way to know about the state funding part is to ask your
state ABE director.
Dominique Brillanceau
PCC /Oregon
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>
>





It's outrageous that "0" dollars are going for prison literacy.  I can't
>recall the statistics right now but I do know the need is great among the
>prison population.  What are we in the literacy and adult ESOL field doing
>about this?  Personally, I take responsibility for not keeping up to date on
>this issue.  I do know, however, that for years now there is a very
>mean-spirited, lock them up and throw way the key attitude out there in
>regards to prisoners.  It seems that many people don't want to touch this
>subject, sometimes in deference to victims' rights.  I believe those
>concerns are valid but they originate in the belief that all prisoners are
>hardened criminals and murderers.  In fact, the prison population has
>swelled up in recent years by substance abusers and others involved with
>drugs.  This is especially so with women inmates.  Are we to believe that
>there is no hope for rehabilitation?  
>
>What is the status of current programs in the jails?   How are they funded? 
>Is there any kind of advocacy going on for maintaining prison literacy?
>
>Maria E. Gonzalez
>Adult Literacy Resource Institute/Boston
>>
>>
>>     The President today released his budget request to Congress for next 
>>     year.  At first glance, here are some items of interest:
>>     
>>                  $361 million for adult education state grants
>>                  $115 million for Even Start Family Literacy
>>                   $27 million for evaluation and technical assistance
>>                        ($20 million of which is designated for developing  
>>                        model ESL programs)
>>                    $6 million for the National Institute for Literacy
>>                    $0 for prison literacy
>>