Corrections_Today_Spring_2025_Vol.87_No.1

PROGRAMMING

both Madison and Pickaway correctional facilities up at 3 a.m., showered, fed, and onto buses for transport. Although there are a lot of logistics involved, Ohio De partment of Corrections officials have highlighted how this event has changed the culture of prisons and their embrace of prison arts programing as they recognize its value and importance (Vugrinci, 2023). Implementing strategies that are intentional about keeping mothers connected to their children while they are incarcerated must be enhanced for establishing and maintaining family relationships. Prison education exchange programming Higher education programs that both men and women correctional facilities have embraced include the Inside-Out Prison Education Exchange Project , which is an international educational program based at Temple Uni versity in Philadelphia. This program brings traditional college students and incarcerated students together in semester-long courses to explore and learn about issues of crime and justice from behind prison walls, based on the hypothesis that incarcerated and non-incarcerated students might mutually benefit from studying together as peers (Inside Out, 2024). Education plays a major role in reducing recidivism, but the benefits of these types of classes are transformative for all in that stu dents get to learn from one another in community. Since its implementation, other programs with a model similar to the Inside Out Program are being offered through colleges and universities nationwide in partnership with state correctional departments. For example through the Ohio Prison Education Exchange Project, students who have participated in these types of classes have described the experience as “one of the best learning

experiences,” “truly transformational”, and “personal growth”, while incarcerated students have described the classes as “humanizing”, “ having a voice” and “having another chance” (OPEEP, 2024). Given the impact that higher education in community has had in these types of classes, correctional facilities should continue to expand and collaborate in offering these types of opportunities that bring incarcerated individuals and the community together. Conclusion For practitioners and correctional administrators, it is important to understand the implications and complexities around the incarceration of women and how this impacts communities. Corrections depart ments across the country have made numerous strides in this area and must continue to do so moving for ward. Incorporating more robust evidence based gender responsive programming and assessments for women is a must. Additional programs that address substance abuse, domestic violence, trauma, LGBTQ education and mental/behavioral health must also continue to be upgraded (Burton et al., 2017). Utilizing women who are serving long sentences, and who have earned the trust and respect of their peers and correctional staff should continue to be considered for key roles as men tors and facilitators within correctional facilities for programming. These types of prosocial activities pro vide not only tangible skills to utilize upon release, but also provides incarcerated women with a present sense of purpose, accomplishment and hope (Lempert, 2016). Implementing strategies that are intentional about keeping mothers connected to their children while they are incarcerated must be enhanced for establishing and maintaining family relationships. Finally, utilizing the power of the arts in prison programming and imple menting programs that support higher education done in community with others from outside prison can be a powerful tool in inclusivity, humanizing and em powering women. The resources are available to move forward with these strategies, but collaborative efforts between correctional agencies, community partners and stakeholders, colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations and legislators must continue to bridge those from within the surrounding communities to

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