Note from the Editors

Journal of Correctional Education, Dec 2003 by Dowdell, John, Craig, Russell

We hope you noticed "something different" with this issue of the Journal of Correctional Education. The changes will build on the legacy of quality that the Journal of Correctional Education has developed and coincide with a change in the Journal editorial staff. A team of Ashland University (Ashland, Ohio) staff is now serving as editor and publisher of the Journal of Correctional Education. The December 2003 issue is our first publication and we have made some changes . . . and plan more to come.

Let us introduce ourselves to the CEA membership. Co-editors, Dr. Russell Craig and John Dowdell, and technical editor, David Webb, have extensive experience as correctional educators. Russell is chair of the criminal justice department at Ashland University and has taught for over 12 in years Ohio correctional facilities. He holds an Ed.D. in counseling psychology from the University of South Dakota and co-authored A Historical, Philosophical, and Pragmatic Approach to Penology, which has recently been released in a second edition. John is director of the Gill Center for Business and Economic Education at Ashland University and has over 21 years of experience in correctional education. John holds a bachelor and masters degree in education from Ashland University and completed his doctoral coursework at the University of Akron. David Webb is director of Outreach programs at Ashland University and has over 13 years of experience in correctional education. David holds bachelor and masters degree from Ashland University. He is currently president of the Ohio Chapter of the Correctional Education Association and chair of the Ohio Penal Education Consortium.

So what does "Team Ashland" plan for the Journal of Correctional Education? First, a fresh new look. We hope you approve of the December 2003 issue. We have added a bit of graphical design to the publication, some color and a "user friendly" table of contents on the front cover. Looks aren't everything, but we are trying to make the Journal an attractive, eye-catching publication that will grab a reader's attention. Please give us your feedback on the new look!

Watch for other changes in the future. We will be publishing a Book Review, beginning with this issue, in each edition of the Journal of Correctional Education.

We also intend to initiate a "Teaching in Correctional Education - Spotlight on Best Practices" in future editions. This section will feature a lesson plan and instructional tips for classroom correctional educators at three levels: 1) adult basic education/literacy, 2) high school/GED/vocational education and 3) post-secondary education. Lessons submitted for publication will be posted online at a new website. Details will follow in the March issue of the Journal of Correctional Education. Get your best lesson plans and projects ready for publication and submit them to the website when the project is formerly announced in March!

The most important thing that we can do is to stay in touch with you - the membership of CEA. Please email at CEAjournal@ashland.edu if you have suggestions or comments on the Journal. We look forward to serving the CEA membership and advancing the truly unique and noble profession of correctional education.

John Dowdell

Russell Craig