THE INMATE EDUCATION PROGRAM
AT THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT

Inmates other than those certified as adults are housed in age groups beginning at 17. There are currently 25 certified juveniles incarcerated in the Harris County Jail. A representative from the alternative education program at HISD is sent to the facility to access the needs of the juveniles; the feasibility of their location for instructional purposes, the jail classification of the inmates i.e. lockdown etc. After determining what can be done a private vendor or contractor is chosen to give whatever assistance that HISD provides for the age group in question, usually such broad range studies as reading, spelling, mathematics, writing, science and social studies; they are also allowed hands on use of computers in the classroom. Those who are not capable of these subjects are taught on a basic education level using teaching aids and materials to help them better understand the concept.

Currently there are no provisions in any program for those special needs education.

The inmate education section makes applications available to all inmates regardless of disabilities, ethnicity, religion or any other differences that may exist. The administrator for Harris County ADAC provides all information (contacts, contractors, request forms, etc.) pertaining to Americans with disabilities. The Chaplainacy Department is equipped and staffed to handle religious issues. After the applications are submitted, the applicants are screened, interviewed and approved. Upon approval they are placed in the requested class. Our goal is to prove through education there is a better way.

Under the leadership of Sheriff Tommy Thomas the Harris County experience reflects a commitment to strong law enforcement, crime control and fiscal responsibility. Inmate education is seen as a means of achieving positive behavioral change within a conservative philosophical framework.

Rehabilitative efforts in county jails have always been controversial. Many believe that criminals should not be given opportunities beyond those available to the average law abiding citizen. The Harris County Sheriff and his staff fully support such a concept. The education effort is therefore designed to provide basic level skills for inmates.

No college degrees or special "frills" are included in the program. Vocational classes are designed to address entry level work. The education effort places a responsibility on each student. If the individual chooses to take advantage of his or her opportunities, success will follow.

Critics often charge that tax dollars should not be wasted on inmates. Unfortunately, this is probably the case with some inmate programs. One goal of the Harris County project is to develop approached that can actually produce income to help offset expenditures.

The printing program (Jail House Printers), for example, is structured so that county agencies, including the Sheriffs Department, can receive quality-printing services at a fraction of the cost charged by outside vendors. The class produces in excess of twenty million dollars has been raised through the program to purchase state of the art printing equipment.

Another criticism of inmate program is that they often "coddle" the participants. This is not the case in Harris County. Students are expected to work for the privilege of attending class. Ironically many jail administrators pride themselves on being "tough" on inmates when in fact the typical inmate spends most of his or her time either sleeping or watching television. Good discipline should be at the heart of inmate programs including education. If participants do not demonstrate a positive and cooperative attitude in class, they are dropped from the program. Punctuality, courtesy, proper respects for others, and good manners are mandated in the classes.

A primary objective of the education program is to produce services that meet the needs of the community. The Senior Nutrition Class presents an excellent example. In 1996 Commissioner Jim Fonteno of Harris County Precinct 2 suggested using the jail kitchen resources to prepare nutritional meals for senior citizens to Sheriff Thomas. After consultation with the college it was agreed to establish a joint program among the Precinct staff, the Sheriffs Department and the Community College. Inmates in the Food Service Division prepare wholesome meals for senior citizens; student inmates supplement the menu with pastries and holiday specialties; and the precinct workers deliver and serve the meal.

The Sheriffs Department is reimbursed for costs and the recipients are allowed a free meal or they may make a nominal donation if they so choose. This program has proved successful in providing a needed service through cooperation and teamwork. Inmate participants voice a sense of pride in helping in the effort and relations between the two agencies are positively enhanced.

Often, inmate projects are more costly than beneficial because of the lack of planning and insight. For the most part inmates require a high degree of security. For this reason the Harris County Sheriffs Department is committed to facility design which accommodates inmate education and provides appropriate security. When new programs are considered, one must evaluate the total cost for additional supervisory personnel, vehicles and equipment. The Harris County Horticulture Class represents an example of efficiency in assigning inmates to appropriate class offerings. A core group of students learn basic horticultural techniques in a classroom setting. In addition, a select number of minimum security classified inmates tend green space areas around county complex as a supplement to the basic class. As a general rule classes should be conducted within the security perimeter of the institution. This permits inmate supervision without excessive costs.

In addition to those example already mentioned, other classes are structured to provide services for Harris County Furniture is repaired through the Upholstery Class yielding fewer requirements on the Department's annual budget. The Woodworking Class produces a variety of shelves, stands and wood products for the department. Students in the Sewing Class regularly repair uniforms and jump suits while those in the Leather Class repair deputy equipment. Graphic Arts participants work with the Printing Class to design custom brochures and pamphlets for various agencies in the Harris County. The Welding Class, the Auto Body Class, the Floor Covering Class and Electronics Class also provides service for the Harris County Sheriffs Department.

The nature of county jails dictates that inmate's flow through the system without predictability.

It is virtually impossible to schedule activities on a weekly or monthly basis because participants enter and exit the system sporadically. In the case of schools, it is necessary to structure open-ended classes so those students may attend as other activities permit. It is also helpful to organize curricula in a manner that permits partial credit for those who are unable to complete the full class. In Harris County almost all inmates are eligible for GED and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. They are organized at all security levels.

A brief description of the program appears in the following table.

The Harris County Inmate Education Program