MDOC acknowledged its teachers May 2-6 in observance of Teacher Appreciation Week. The Department of Corrections education staff, which includes more than 300 teachers, trades instructors, and support personnel, were honored at facilities throughout the state.

"The educational programs within our facilities are extremely valuable," Director Patricia L. Caruso said. "I want to recognize our teachers for the great job they do in a difficult situation."

Professional teaching staff provides instruction

Ed Ruesink, trade instructor, Gus Harrison Correctional Facility

to nearly 12,000 prisoners daily, approximately 25 percent of the total population, at a cost per student of less than half of the average public school. More than 9,000 of these students are enrolled in academic classes and approximately 2,800 in career and technical education programs.

The teachers and staff face many challenges working with the prison population. Besides the obvious security issues, many prisoners have learning disabilities. The department employs an open entry/open exit structure which means the class is constantly changing as prisoners transfer or are released. In addition, they are teaching a classroom full of students with various levels of education.

"As a rule, the teachers don’t stand in front of class and teach the group as a whole. The classrooms offer individualized instruction since the prisoners are at all different levels of achievement and ability," said HTF/KCF principal Catherine Spring.

Dianne Koskinen, teacher, Baraga Maximum

In accordance with PA 320 of 1998, most prisoners must obtain a GED prior to being released on parole and each year approximately 2000 prisoners complete their GED requirements. Policy also provides opportunities for remediation for those with a high school diploma or GED who still need additional basic skill review.

"While many programs are important, the research is unequivocal in noting that hard-core drug treatment programs and credential-based education and training programs dramatically reduce the rate of recidivism," Catherine Spring said.

Educational programming also impacts the day-to-day management of the institutions. Career and Technical Education (CTE) programming alone involves approximately 2,800 prisoners taking an average of three hours of classes a day five days per week.

Along with training prisoners for meaningful employment upon their release, CTE programs also train skilled workers for institutional employment in areas such as food service and maintenance. As part of their training, students often gain hands-on experience by working on institutional and community service learning projects. As a result, the department saves money and community organizations benefit while students learn.

The MDOC Education Department and curriculum committees continue to search for ways to improve programming and be more cost effective in the delivery system.

As part of the Transition from Prison to Community Initiative (TPCI), education staff is gaining input from employers and employer service agencies. As a result, there have been program improvements, national credentialing, and community partnerships along with plans for closer connections to business advisory groups during the educational process. GED completion has been identified by employers as a requisite for most employment opportunities.

"Studies show that ex-offenders, who participated in correctional education, out earn non participants by 10 percent to 30 percent," said Julie DeRose, Education Programs Manager. "In addition, education, supported by basic services identified by TPCI such as housing, transportation, substance abuse counseling and employment, dramatically increases the likelihood of success in the community."

MDOC school programs and instructors impact many areas of the institution and community while giving the prisoners practical and hands-on experience in skills needed for employment inside and outside the walls of MDOC facilities.

Career and Technical Education programs service learning projects provide assistance to the institution and community. The welding programs repair recreational equipment and construct store carts. The auto body and auto mechanics restore or repair vehicles for government agencies. Horticulture programs throughout the state provide flowers and plant products for Prison Build projects and other community groups. Building trades programs construct walls and cabinets for Habitat for Humanity through the Prison Build Program, as well as projects for non-profit agencies.

Academic staff, including school principals, must hold a Michigan Teaching Certificate and meet the continuing education requirements. Trades instructors must verify experience in their trade and meet Civil Service qualifications. All instructors must be skilled in the techniques of working with adult students at varying levels of abilities within the constraints of a correctional facility setting.

A majority of the school principals are in shared-service positions with responsibilities for school programs at two or more facilities.

"Our teachers provide outstanding examples of professionalism," said DeRose. "Although they are expected to teach prisoners basic skills such as math, reading, writing or a trade, the positive role model and social skills that they convey to prisoners on a daily basis is invaluable."

Michigan Department of Corrections FYI 05-27-04