Three hundred inmates take classes every semester. They earn credits toward an associate of arts degree in liberal arts from Patten University in Oakland, California.
Ms. Lewen says getting teachers to volunteer is not difficult. But some are nervous about their first trip to San Quentin.
JODY LEWEN: "You know, all the stereotypes people have in their minds about people who are incarcerated, and they assume they’re a lot of troublemakers and people are goofing off and they do not want to do their work. That stereotype has nothing to do with reality."
She has recruited more than one hundred fifty volunteers, including graduate students from colleges and universities in the area.
Charles Spence hopes to earn parole from prison one day. He needs a few more courses to receive his associate’s degree, and he wants to earn a master’s degree in psychology.
CHARLES SPENCE: "This experience really has changed my life. It has given me a lot of tools on how to express myself. This program is really rare in the prison setting, so we are really lucky to have an opportunity to get an education, especially with the way the economy is out there now. And odds are stacked against us in being convicted felons. This actually gives us a lot of hope, and hopefully will help us succeed when we walk out the door."
More than one hundred prisoners have received an associate’s degree. Many more have continued their college studies after their release. The project receives no state or federal money. It operates with donations from people and foundations.
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2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25