It takes time for any visitor to be processed and allowed to enter. It is critical that you be punctual, arriving at least 30 minutes before your class begins. When you present yourself at the desk, the guard will take your ID and look you up in the system. As a BU professor, you are in the “Pass System” and are allowed to come and go all day on the day of your class. If you arrive too late, you will have to wait until the next shift change. if you arrive too early, be prepared to wait. You can find directions at When you drive to the prison, park in the “visitor” parking lot, and enter the waiting room. It is fine to encourage your students to type and tell them that it is your preference, however it is not possible to require that all papers be typed. They also have access to DOC typewriters in the library and the Partakers typewriters though the BU Clerks at Norfolk and Framingham. You may ask your students to type papers and most of them will. However, if you would like to discuss coursework with a student, you can devote a portion of a class for that purpose while the rest of the class reads quietly or works on a group project.
There are no “office hours” in prison teaching. Generally, a student’s routine is outlined by the prison, so absences and tardiness mean different things in prison than in a traditional classroom. Remember, too, that your students do not have control over their comings and goings. You may wish to write notes on papers that are read only by the student, but it is a good idea not to allude to disparities in achievement within the class.
This is not always true in prison, for a variety of reasons. In a traditional college classroom, a student may enjoy being singled out or applauded for his or her work. Similarly, you may ask them to call you Professor or to use your first name.Īnother consideration is the role of pride and respect in prison. or Ms., while others use students’ first names.
#Social questions about prison how to#
There is an overhead projector, a movie screen, a TV/VCR, and an audio CD player available for your use.Īs for how to address your students, some professors refer to students as Mr. They do not have access to the Internet, and the library is limited in terms of research purposes. You may be able to schedule a make-up class after consulting with the Principal.īe aware that students’ exposure to the norms of a college classroom is limited. For example, if the entire prison should close on the day of your class, you need to be able to adjust your curriculum to cover the same amount of material in a reduced number of sessions. Students will have done the work you assigned and will be eager to discuss it and seek clarification of what they don’t understand. For example, if you assign out-of-class group work, they will pair up by living unit.īe prepared to be challenged by your class. Your students will help you arrive at solutions to problems created by teaching in a secure environment. Your principle pedagogic tool is your relationship with your students. The Boston University Prison Education Program does not offer “open admission.” All enrolled students have demonstrated readiness for college work by either previously completing college courses offered through other institutions, or by passing an entrance exam.
#Social questions about prison free#
Eventually you will understand the culture within prison, but feel free to ask any questions you may have at any time. The criteria you use in your daily life will not always apply in the prison environment. When in doubt, ask the BU Clerk or the DOC Education staff. Any questions you may have for the Prison Education staff will have to wait until you leave the prison facility.
This includes Danielle Rousseau and Jim Matesanz. Prisoners, including BU Clerks, have limited authority they will refer you to the principal for questions regarding paperwork, permissions, or any upper-level administration.Īnother resource is the Prison Education staff. For example, prisoners can return to their units only during “movement” (once an hour, for 10 minutes) but they can move about within the building in between this time. The students themselves will help orient you to the routines in place. He or she is most helpful and knowledgeable in procedural questions. At Norfolk and Framingham, there is a BU Clerk, who is a prisoner and a current student or a graduate of the BU Prison Education Program. There are multiple sources of help for faculty members.
0 kommentar(er)
