Transcript
"Corrections? or Corruption?" Did you know there is no federal constitutional right to rehabilitation? And as a result, whenever there's a so called "budget crisis", educational programming is the first to get x'd out. So when a judge says he's sentencing you to prison to be rehabilitated, it's a load of crock. In theory, the DOC is suppose to rehabilitate prisoners, right? Which would mean promoting higher education for those interested, right? Only in theory. A few times throughout my grueling incarceration I have sought to participate in correspondence college classes which offer low tuition or payment plans. Imagine my surprise when I was denied because I couldn't afford it! The department requires us to pay the entire tuition, up front, from our prison account. Meaning a payment arrangement between my family and the school would not suffice for me to better myself. But wait, there's more! In 2016, I was among a select group of prisoners chosen to participate in the "Inside Out" program which allows prisoners to attend one free college class... with selected outside college students. I had the privilege of taking sociology with students and a professor from Albion College. It was by far one of the most exciting events in my 18-years inside. Sadly, the MDOC refused to allow me to complete the course. I was removed because I had been fired from a prison job. So much for the image of "corrections" or "rehabilitation". I will say this though, in the past year or so, multiple colleges have began teaching courses in prison. Again, we have to pay the full tuition up front, but it's a start. The MDOC has instituted a few new vocational programs which is a step in the right direction, but I have to believe that the Indiana DOC has the best idea: time is deducted off your sentence for each degree or certificate earned. Now that's rehabilitation. By: [?]
