Behind Bars: The Joys and Challenges of Teaching in Jail
When I tell people I teach at the jail, I get looks of admiration and questions like, “Aren’t you scared?” “Do you have a weapon with you?” “Do you teach murders and rapists?”
In response, I answer, “No, I’m not scared; no, I don’t have a weapon; and yes, I teach murderers and rapists.” The look of admiration usually grows on the inquirer’s face until I follow up by saying, “And I love it!” Then, the open-mouth stare changes, and my questioner begins to look at me like I am crazy. And, maybe I am, but I truly love teaching at the jail!
Jails are truly different than the average GED classroom, but some of these differences lead to an ultra-rewarding experience for both students and teachers. Here are a few ways the jail classroom differs from the average GED classroom (both the good and the bad)
Entry. The first challenge in teaching at a correctional facility happens at the point of entry. I carry a clear bag with me so that correctional officers can see what I am bringing into the classroom, and this bag is sometimes searched. This can be followed by use of a metal detector and a series of questions about anything I have on my person. I can’t bring in anything sharp or anything connected to the outside world (i.e. my phone).
In fact, the rules in general can be a little daunting. I have to follow a very strict procedure, and failure to comply can lead to loss of my job. By nature, I am not a very detail-oriented person, but in the jail, I have to be. I need to keep close count of the pencils I pass out, for instance, to insure that no materials go back with the students. In addition, any materials I use, need to have staples removed. These rules are a necessary evil, but complying is the only way that teachers are allowed in.
Materials. In fact, the materials at the jail are not as plentiful as a standard GED classroom, and this does sometimes limit the lessons I am to teach. I enjoy hands-on activities, but most manipulatives aren’t allowed. Because of this limitation, I have created many of my own lessons, and you may find these at my store link at the end of this article. One free resource you can find in my store is Combining Like Terms Rummy. Just pre-cut the cards before class, and you will have a fun hands-on activity that is perfectly okay to use in a corrections setting.
Retention. Retention is always an issue for adult education classrooms, but there is an extra element of this in the jail setting. Without warning, prisoners are sometimes transferred to a different facility or even released. This is frustrating for both students and teachers, since this change makes it difficult for students to meet their goals.
No contact. If you are a member of one of my standard GED classes, at some point you are likely to get hugged. I am genuinely excited when students meet their goals, and sometimes a high five just isn’t enough. However, a pat on the back is about as much affection as I can offer at the jails due to strict PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act) rules. I find this to be unfortunate, but safety of both the teachers and students needs to take priority.
Rewards. I love rewarding my students, and my favorite type of reward is food. Since I am not allowed to bring food into my jail students, however, I have to get more creative when I want to reward hard work. Paper certificates are still allowed, and oral praise is always enjoyed, so how I reward my students does slightly differ in the correctional setting.
Constant Supervision. At the jail, I can’t step in the hall to answer a phone call, run to my car to grab something, or even go to the bathroom because I am required to be in the room with my students for the entire class. The only challenge with this for me is the bathroom. My students and I are locked in the classroom for 3 hours, and no one is allowed to come or go during that time. If anyone has a bathroom emergency, we simply have to end class early for the night.
Nothing but time. Most of this article have been about the challenges of teaching at the jail, but there is one HUGE benefit about working there, time. My students have nothing but time. They have no excuse for missing class because what else do they have to do? They don’t have to worry about their work schedules or kids’ ballgames getting in the way of class, so when teaching at the jail, attendance is usually good.
Helping the underdog. Perhaps the best part of working at the jail is who I get to work with. People are often surprised to learn that I work with wonderful people there. Often humbled by their conviction, incarcerated students are among the best that I teach. They usually want to turn their life around, and they know that earning a GED is a great start for that new life. I honestly meet some of the most dedicated, hard working, and enthusiastic people behind bars.
In conclusion, if you are a teacher considering working at your local correctional facility, just do it. You probably became a teacher so that you could help people, so why not go straight to people who truly need advocates? Also, remember that you can contact me with any questions or concerns you have, so I will be with you every step of the way.
Don’t forget to check out my store by clicking the link below. There you will find lots of jail-friendly activities to use in your classroom. Thanks for reading!
