Prison Programs — Social and Economic Issues — Galsworthy Criminal Justice Reform Program

What I Learned When I Googled My Students’ Crimes

“Leaving the prison that day, I wondered what the men in my class were “usually” like. I knew that I was afforded only a narrow glimpse into their experiences, and I wondered if I knew more of their history if I would still view them the same way. So I decided to try an experiment. As a general rule, in my years of working with the incarcerated, I have never looked up the convictions of the men in my classes: I wanted to see each person as he is and could be, not reduced to his past actions. But now, I decided to do just the opposite: look up the crimes and media coverage of every single one of my students.“

The Marshall Project

May 2, 2019

Personalism, Prison ProgramsPhillip ReevesMay 2, 2019The Marshall ProjectComment

The Financial Knowledge Inmates Need to Reenter Society

“We believe that there is a need for this kind of financial education within the penal system, and that this pilot program can be scaled to meet the needs of states, counties and municipalities across the country. We also believe this program is evidence that government can innovate and collaborate for the benefit of all citizens. After all, thousands of men and women are returning to their communities each year after being incarcerated, and we want to them to become independent and successful.“

Governing Institute

September 6, 2018

Economic Issues, Prison ProgramsPhillip ReevesSeptember 6, 2018Governing Institute, PennsylvaniaComment

How To End Prison Labor Exploitation And Invest In Incarcerated People

"Helping people who are incarcerated build their skills through education or training is therefore a worthwhile goal and one that enjoys significant support. According to a recent study, 70% of incarcerated people reported wanting to enroll in some academic program while incarcerated."

Forbes

August 23, 2018

Prison Programs, EmploymentAnthony BradleyAugust 24, 2018Forbes

What it’s like to be a California inmate fighting wildfires

"Within a penal system that in its other features was more likely to degrade and reduce human development, Michael accidentally fell into a program that, but for the exploitative pay, is an excellent example of a response to wrongdoing that seeks to make the victim whole, seeks to make the community whole and seeks to help the wrongdoer prepare for positive relations with the broader society."

Washington Post

August 8, 2018

Employment, Prison ProgramsAnthony BradleyAugust 9, 2018Washington Post, California

Disrupt the cycle of recidivism. Training prisoners keeps many from returning to prison.

"The RAND study found that every dollar spent on prison education could save up to $5 in costs during the first three years after a prisoner is released. A rigorous cost-benefit analysis of prison programs by the Washington State Institute for Public Policy found that the benefits of both post-secondary education for prisoners and vocational educational programs far outweighed the costs in that state. The institute found a benefit after costs of more than $24,600 per participant for programs run out of the state’s prisons."

USA Today

July 27, 2018

Employment, Prison ProgramsAnthony BradleyJuly 31, 2018USA Today, RAND Corporation, Recidivism

Reforms are shrinking prisons, now money must go to reentry | Editorial

"To 'reduce re-offending, provide services for crime victims, and save taxpayers money,' the law provides for 70 percent of savings to be reinvested in programs to reduce recidivism and support victims. The other 30 percent of savings goes into Louisiana's general fund. With $12.2 million in savings, $8.5 million should go toward education, reentry programs, drug treatment and other programs to keep ex-inmates from returning to prison."

New Orleans Times-Picayune

July 11, 2018

The Inside Story of a Legendary Prison Debate Team

"Back in the day, the Norfolk debate society was the stuff of legend, with a pedigree that included the great Malcolm X as a member. It was such a dominant force in debate that from 1933 to 1966 it compiled a win-loss record of 144-8 against some of the best college teams across the Northeast. Unfortunately, those memories turned to myths after a half-century of dust settled over the Norfolk prison stage."

The Marshall Project

June 7, 2018

Prison ProgramsAnthony BradleyJuly 30, 2018The Marshall Project, Norfolk, Massachusetts, Debate

I Teach Writing in Prison. During One Class, Things Got Real--Even for Me.

"Before I started teaching in prison, I would have said they deserved to pay, in some cases, with their lives for the crimes they were convicted of doing. Now that I know them, it’s impossible to feel the same way."

Washington Post

May 31, 2018

Prison ProgramsAnthony BradleyJuly 30, 2018Washington Post, Writing

Social and Economic Issues

Galsworthy CJR Program

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