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What recommendations would you make to another group who was planning a similar project?

Recommendations by Site

Buffalo Narrows

This facilitator has extensive background in adult literacy. This site operated one–to–one individualized program.

  1. The CARA assessment was useful because it showed the inmates their reading strengths and weaknesses.
  2. The Justice Literacy Indicator words were too difficult to learn.
  3. The inmates in Buffalo Narrows would prefer a full time tutor – preferably outside the jail … this would create security problems.
  4. The inmates in correctional Work Camps are busy during the day, but could use 3–4 nights a week instead of just two nights.

Waden Bay Corrections Camp

This facilitator had limited tutoring and facilitation skills. This site operated a one–to–one individualized program.

  1. The facilitator here could not interest many inmates in the program (four registered)
  2. The Justice Literacy Indicator test words were limited in legal terminology. Instead, the facilitator used a B.C. on-line list a Duhaim.org by Lloyd Duhaime of Victoria. This list had legal terms and definitions form A–Z.
  3. Inmates requested internet access but this (again) posed security problems and was not provided.

Besnard Corrections Camp*

*This facilitator was an elementary school teacher, and used her own assessment (Reading Level Indicator). She had not taught adult literacy before and was unfamiliar with the broads skill range typically found in an adult literacy class. This site operated in a structured classroom, unlike the above mentioned sites.

  1. The program presented was too advanced for the inmates' reading levels (Grade 1 – 9). This is, however, typical of literacy level programs.
  2. There is constant change as inmates arrive or are released from camp. The program should quickly assess and create individualized programs that inmates can take with them.
  3. Inmates should be encouraged to discuss their educational aspirations, in lieu of assessments.
  4. Mathematics was requested by more than one inmate, and should be offered in addition to reading and writing.