Is there a guidebook that covers special DL programs for inmates? I think the cost of some programs would make the effort impractical since the people behind bars have little or no money. Any suggestions? Thanks. Roscoe P.S. I am a chaplain (and not an inmate) in a Maryland correctional facility.
Ohio University had, at one time, a fairly strong presence providing "remote" classes at correctional facilities in the region. Their current DL web page addresses the use of their correspodence courses by the incarcerated.
There are links to the Ohio University Program for the Incarcerated on the BA in 4 Weeks mainmenu under the heading, Ohio University bottom right of the page. Other information and links to resources on the web site may also prove useful. Bears Guide has a section you may find particularly germane, entitled: Advice for People in Prison. Lawrie Miller author BA in 4 Weeks http://geocities.com/BA_in_4_Weeks .
Roscoe, do you know anything about this? I found it on a Maryland Division of Corrections web page. Referring to inmate education: “…post-secondary academic and occupational courses were reintroduced through five Maryland colleges and the American Council on Education for distance learning.” This was in reference to a program that was reintroduced in 1999, and according to the web page, it was updated in June 2001. Perhaps it has since been abandoned. Here’s the link. There is no mention of financial aid, but such matters appear to be addressed in discussion boards at corrections.com.
Thanks Dennis, Lawrie, Tracy I will certainly look into the sources you mentioned. Again, thanks. Roscoe
The 'Advice for Inmates' chapter of Bears' Guide, which Lawrie kindly referred to, is written by Douglas Dean, who earned his Bachelor's, Master's, and Ph.D. (Wisconsin, Wisconsin, and UNISA) while serving a life-without-possibility-of-parole sentence in Wisconsin. While Ohio University has backed away from much of the fine stuff they were doing for prisoners, the gap has pleasantly been filled by the University of Southern Colorado, where Donald Spano in the Office of Continuing Education is making a special outreach, with a degree program for inmates, and even some financial assistance available. Note: several years ago, I proposed to my publisher a series of demographically oriented books, comparable to the subject area ones recently done ("...the Best MBAs by Distance Learning" etc.). One for prisoners and one for the handicapped were the two logical starting points, I thought. Sadly, there was little or no interest at Ten Speed. (After 10 years mostly doing books for Price/Stern/Sloan, then 15 years mostly Ten Speed, it may well be time to move along and do the next 25 years with someone else. The imminent cookbook, mentioned here last spring, is with someone new, but very specialized. I've picked my next major publisher, but they don't know it yet.
