The Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program

Posted by on April 1, 2005

THE INSIDE-OUT PRISON EXCHANGE PROGRAM: Exploring Issues of Crime & Justice Behind the Walls

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The core of the Inside-Out Program is a 15-week academic course, meeting once a week, through which 15-18 (i.e., undergraduate) students and the same number of? (i.e., incarcerated) students attend class together inside prison. All participants read a variety of criminal justice texts and write several papers; during class sessions, students discuss issues in small and large groups; and, in the final month of the class, students work together on a class project.

Crucial to the Inside-Out pedagogy is the powerful exchange that occurs between “inside” and “outside” students. It is the reciprocity and authenticity of this exchange that makes Inside-Out unique. The result is a dynamic and constructive dialogue that inspires participants to generate new ideas and fresh solutions all focused on changing both individual lives and the attitude of public opinion.

Interested in becoming trained in the Inside-Out teaching model?

Take part in an upcoming National Instructor Training Institute and bring the Inside-Out experience to your college or university.

WHO:
College professors, adjunct instructors, teaching assistants, and other professionals interested in starting an Inside-Out Program at their college or university.

WHAT:
A comprehensive training program that covers everything necessary to develop a course in the Inside-Out model: curriculum development, setting parameters, institutional relationships, group dynamics, interactive pedagogical approaches, and much more. It is an opportunity to learn this transformative educational method through observation, hands-on experience, dialogue, and engagement with a working group inside Graterford Prison. Training will be followed by consultation to assist in on-site program development.

WHERE:
The trainings, sponsored by Temple University, are being conducted this summer at the Temenos Conference and Retreat Center in West Chester, PA and at the State Correctional Institution at Graterford, a maximum-security state prison an hour outside of Philadelphia.

WHEN:
July 5-10, 2005
August 1-7, 2005

WHY:
Inside-Out provides a unique pedagogical approach that has the potential for far-reaching change for everyone involved college students, prison participants, as well as the instructor facilitating the class. It is transformative education at its best.

HOW:
For application information (initial e-mail preferred), contact:
Lori Pompa, Director
The Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program
Temple University
Soros Justice Senior Fellow
521 Gladfelter Hall
Department of Criminal Justice
1115 W. Berks Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122

phone: 215 204 5163
e-mail: inout@temple.edu
web: http://www.temple.edu/inside-out