It is fair to say that prisons have changed a lot over the years. Not only do they now serve a more practical purpose, but people have also changed their attitudes towards incarceration. This is especially relevant when it comes to teaching creative writing in prison, as it is a highly controversial subject.
Many states have abolished their ‘correctional education department’, as it is seen as a waste of public funds. However, a number of prisons still have a literary course, as it is seen as a ‘teachable moment’, providing the inmate with some alternative to crime. If you are passionate about creative writing and have a number of years to spare, this is a glorious opportunity to teach a creative writing class in prison.
The Reasons Behind Teaching Creative Writing in Prison
It is a well-established fact that not all prisoners are created equal. Some are more intelligent and open-minded than others, exhibiting a greater desire to better themselves, and thus, their sentence. This is why teaching a creative writing class to inmates can be a highly effective tool in reforming them and, in turn, society as a whole. There are various benefits to teaching creative writing in prison, including increased motivation, higher self-esteem, and even a greater chance of becoming a job applicant post-release. All of this can be attributed to the fact that creative writing trains the mind to be more agile and open.
Even when the class doesn’t result in any of these positive outcomes, there are still plenty of reasons why you should teach creative writing in prison.
To begin with, nothing beats getting inspiration for your stories whenever you want. The best thing about being locked away from the outside world is that you are effectively unshackled when it comes to getting your creative juices flowing. As someone who has spent many an hour in solitary confinement, going through the motions of preparing for class, often gets you in the right mindset to write. Furthermore, it is very often the case that the inmate will surprise you with a story that they have been working on for a while, and it will help you understand their predicament better, as you can see the hardships that they have had to endure. Finally, allowing them to express themselves in this way can help them later in life, when they are looking for a new job. Whether you are in a maximum-security prison or in a minimum-security one, creative writing can always be taught.
However, as mentioned, this is a highly controversial subject and you have to approach it with caution, especially if you are a newcomer to the institution.
Before You Start Teaching
Before you start teaching creative writing in prison, you need to approach the subject with caution. This is not only because it is a touchy topic, but also because you don’t want to end up in a ‘love-love’ situation, as there is always the possibility that the inmate will get obsessed with you, expecting you to grant them special privileges, or even marry them. These are just some of the most obvious risks, but apart from that, you are effectively training these prisoners to be better citizens who will one day be contributing to society, so it is important that you do your research first.
Also, you should familiarise yourself with the course materials, as this will make it much easier for you to deliver the course. If you are a newcomer to teaching, it can be difficult to know what material you need for the class. Fortunately, teaching creative writing in prison is a widely recognised option and the DOC (Department of Corrections, or District Attorney’s Office) will usually have a list of books and articles that they recommend you use. This list can also be found on their website, which will make it much easier for your students to get in touch with you if they have any questions.
How to Set Up the Classroom
The classroom setup for this kind of class is fairly simple, but you have to make sure that you have everything. First of all, you need a space that is large enough to accommodate the number of people that you have enrolled in the course. Preferably, this should be a room that is at least 400 square feet, to ensure that everyone has enough room to move around comfortably. It is also advisable to get a table and chairs, so that the inmate can relax, and you can conduct your class in a more comfortable manner. Additionally, depending on your prison’s regulations, you may need to get permission from the warden to use the space you have allocated for the classroom.
How to Deliver the Course
If you have been teaching creative writing in prison for a while, you will have developed skills that will make the delivery of the course a smooth and effective experience. First of all, you will need to block off some time with the warden, so that they will agree to let you teach this class. This can often be negotiated, as many prison wardens believe in giving inmates as many second chances as possible, and allowing them to develop new skills can, in some cases, result in additional benefits for the inmate, such as decreased time served. However, this is not always the case, as not all prison wardens are created equal, and some can be quite the opposite, believing that all inmates should serve their full sentence without any exceptions. Once you have managed to get permission from the warden, you can start preparing for class. The first step is to get in touch with the course instructor, either via email or via phone. It is also a good idea to reach out to former students, as they will usually be able to recommend someone they believe is suitable to take on this course. A good candidate will have a strong writing background, and will have either graduated from college or completed a graduate degree. The course can be any creative writing course, but it is usually a shorter course, such as a fiction or non-fiction course. Having a specific number of weeks or months to complete the course, will also make it a little easier to plan. The ideal time to start teaching is right after your student has completed the first draft of a paper, or essay, as this is when they will be at their most receptive, as they are essentially starting from scratch, and will need help, guidance, and lots of examples. If you are a beginner, you should start with a very short course, such as a creative writing for pleasure course, in order to establish yourself as the teacher, before taking on a more advanced course. If the inmate shows promise, and you are feeling confident, it is also advisable to offer the course, not only in English, as this can be an effective tool for increasing their employability, but in several other subjects, as well. This will also help them discover new interests, and thus, new ways to achieve rehabilitation.
As this is a highly specialist subject and you need to have a great deal of experience in order to deliver the course effectively, it is vital that you get training before you start teaching. This can be done either through formal training, or by doing in-house training, where you will work with experienced educators, who can help you establish yourself as an effective teacher. Once you have established yourself as an effective teacher, it is fairly straightforward to start delivering the course, as you will need to get in touch with the head of the literary department in your prison, or district attorney’s office, in case you are working with private contractors, in order to get the necessary permissions, and then, you can start delivering the course.