The Wesleyan Prisoner Resource and Education Project (WesPREP) will learn next week if it can take a year’s worth of work and transform it into an education outreach program for Connecticut state prisoners.
According to Ethna Riley ’06, co-coordinator of WesPREP, University students and faculty have worked since last fall under the mantra of “Be proactive and thought provoking” to raise money and structure curricula for the Project’s initiation this semester. They also held a book collection for prisoners last spring, during which students and faculty could donate books at a box in Olin.
Their ultimate goal is to implement college-in-prison programs, where Wesleyan professors teach courses in the prisons. Upon completion of the course, the students would receive Wesleyan credit toward a bachelor’s degree. Faculty members would receive a stipend for their work.
“I hope we’re able to assemble a team of truly conscious and committed people to carry the spirit of the organization from which it was formed,” Riley said.
As co-coordinator, Riley organizes members new to the group as well as those interested in joining.
WesPREP plans to start with student created and moderated seminars based on lesson plans generated by students. With the approval of the University and the Connecticut Department of Correction (DOC), WesPREP hopes to include the college-in-prison program in by next spring at the earliest.
“We are waiting for our contact at the DOC to approve the curriculums of our student lead courses,” said Katherine Piper ’05, co-WesPREP coordinator. “The DOC also needs to complete background checks of those hoping to participate in the program.”
The York Correctional Institution, a women’s prison in Niantic, CT and the Bergin Correctional Institution in Storrs, CT are the two locations where WesPREP will begin its programs. Some courses waiting for DOC approval are U.S. History, Environmental Science, Creative Writing and Mediation.
This semester students are going to begin teaching courses they developed as well as provide tutoring for those who are interested in improving reading and writing skills as well as trying to get their GED. According to Piper, many of these prison facilities offer trade course that teach inmates how to buff floors or how to work as beauticians.
“By having students create their own curriculums, it forces students to be more creative and to use the resources that they have available to them to offer courses that are interesting to those who are learning from them,” Piper said.
WesPREP emerged from “Sociology of Imprisonment,” a class offered last fall by Professor Mary Bosworth, as well as from student interest developed through Students for a Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP). As part of the course curriculum, students traveled to York and spoke to the women in the facility. Prior to 1996, Pell Grants were used to provide courses for inmates. The grants were stopped due to state budget cuts.
According to Piper, the commitment to the program will be once a week, once the paper work for the student’s curriculum and background check are cleared. Similar programs have appeared at Boston University and Bates College.
“There is injustice in the system,” said Jessica Jones ’08, a member of SSDP and WesPREP. “I want to get a first person perspective of what goes on in these facilities. People have so many stereotypes of prisons that are f—-d up and believe that people who are there deserve to be there. There are so many factors involved that it is important to get a first hand perspective.”
For questions regarding WesPREP and how to get involved, contact Katherine Piper at kpiper@wesleyan.edu.
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