Need for Prison Education, The

Off Our Backs, Nov/Dec 2003 by Leland, Rhonda

We rarely get a chance to hear from the voices of women in prison. The following article was written by an inmate at Valley State Prison for Women in California about the proposed cuts in prison education in that state. It highlights the critical importance of education for women in prison.

We all know the importance of education. Many studies show that women in prison were abused as children and they failed to receive education that was adequate. The public professes to care about protecting our children, yet with all of our technology, so many still are victims of abuse and neglect. Unfortunately, in most of these cases, no one intercedes or is even aware of the abuse until it is too late.

So it happens that many children who fall through the cracks are incarcerated. I can't help but think the government has forgotten about those children who fell through the cracks of our imperfect society. If we cut prison education, as proposed here in California, we take away a chance for incarcerated mothers to put an end to the cycle.

The women's prison system has grown at a tremendous rate over the last few years. Studies confirm that prisoners who are released to the streets with a vocation are less likely to re-offend. Ultimately, this will save the taxpayer money and saves citizens from victimization. According to a report entitled "The Three-State Recidivism Study," published in the January 2002 Correctional Education Journal, every one dollar spent on education saves taxpayers two dollars through reduced recidivism. This estimate represents only the savings that come from not incarcerating repeat offenders and does not take into account the savings from judicial proceedings, medical care, and law enforcement.

It is a fact that many incarcerated women lived at or below the poverty level before they were arrested and incarcerated. It makes sense to train women in a profession where they can achieve a higher level of pay. Considering that many incarcerated women are single mothers and must be the sole support of their family once they are released, prison education is the only hope.

Valley State Adult School is located within Valley State Prison for Women (VSPW). VSPW is operated by the California Department of Corrections and is one of the largest female prisons in the country with a current population of 3,738. Proposed cuts in the state of California will affect the much-needed education of incarcerated women. One of the 15 courses currently threatened is the Vocational Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Course.

The Vocational Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Course offers certification through the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It is the only course of this type offered to women in the United States. This course gives women a real chance to become self-supporting members of society upon their release into the community. The vocational instructor is licensed to administer and proctor the exam. Currently, there are 243 students that have taken this class. 10.7% have graduated and 64 have been licensed by passing the EPA exam. Seven students have excelled by passing nationwide tests. This Vocational Refrigeration class has been open since 1997. The instructor of this program received "Best HVACR Instructor" award.

There are 14 vocational classes offered at VSPW and 27 positions open for women in each class. This makes a total of 405 vocational-training positions available for women in this prison with a population of 3,738. VSPW has kept the same number of programs operating regardless of the prison population.

Following is a list of other classes which are proposed to be cut:

* Air Conditioning/Refrigeration

* Landscape/Gardening

* Janitorial

* Cosmetology

* Dry Cleaning

* Small Engine Repair

* Mill and Cabinets

* Upholstery

* Automotive/Repair

* Welding

* Eye Wear/Manufacturing

* Office Services 1

* Office Services 2

* Graphic Art Design/Printing

These are not frivolous or insignificant courses. They are important and vital to our prison community. They provide hands-on training so that women can improve their work skills, and enhance their self-esteem by obtaining knowledge that allows them to be equipped for life beyond prison. I can't see the advantage of cutting a program that already barely meets the needs of a community. Could you imagine your community with only 405 job-training positions open?

On behalf of the women in VSPW, I urge you to oppose cuts to prison education. Such cuts will not only rob women in need of education, but will feed the cycle that keeps poor women in poverty.

In California, Governor Davis has requested $220 million to build a death row unit in San Quentin. I feel that they have started to use the death penalty to start executing the uneducated, the poor and the oppressed.

Editors' note: The prison education bill was vetoed twice by Governor Davis. As we go to press time, a third version of the bill sits on his desk awaiting his signature. It is unlikely that the incoming Governor Schwarzenegger will sign it. Some cuts have already been enacted including reduction of classes available to prisoners.