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JUNE 2005

Education Behind Bars: Part II of a Series
Integrating Ex-Inmates Into Society

By Liza Young

Even with the discontinuation of Pell Grants in correctional facilities for adults, there are those whose belief in the value of higher education and the power of the individual to continually improve goes beyond funding crises.

Evidence of this phenomenon is clear through the efforts which occur at the Episcopal Center College Initiative, a non-profit organization with the mission of assisting recently released individuals to pursue their goal of beginning or continuing college. The organization additionally works closely with individuals currently in correctional facilities who wish to engage in educational planning. Currently enrollment includes 92 individuals—about 10 percent women—and 27 different colleges. Funding comes from foundation grants and from the organization itself which has access to some funds from the church. There is funding from the State Government through the support of Republican Senator Dale Volker and upstate NY Assemblyman Jeff Aubrey.

Talking with Benay Rubenstien, Director of College Initiative, it is easy to see her enthusiasm for the mission of reintegrating those who have been, or are currently in correctional facilities, into society.

Rubenstein began her career 20 years ago working at Marist College, where she coordinated programs at Federal Correctional Institutions (FCIs). At the time, Pell Grants and Half Grants were available and Rubenstein “loved the work.” Prior to working at College Initiative, she ran the college program at Bedford Hills for three years.

She cites the rewards of working in the field as being many. The students are there voluntarily and largely are individuals who would not have the opportunity to attend college outside of the prison setting and so they come to the program with an eagerness to learn.

“There is the sense of excitement, of soaking it up, of being thrilled at the opportunity to expand one’s knowledge base and choice,” says Rubenstein. She metaphorically describes the experience as lighting a small torch which then proceeds to light up the entire sky.

Cheryl Wilkins, a former inmate at Bedford Hills who is currently a counselor at College Initiative, emphatically describes her appreciation for the educational program there: “It is a shrine for us.” While in prison she completed a B.A. in sociology and described the program as a great privilege, helping to keep her focused on her future.

At College Initiative, relates Rubenstein, the work done with clients is not limited to academics and employment. “We assist formally with education, but we assist informally with everything. This encompasses issues ranging from voting to socialization.” She recommends jobs in the Human Services field to former prison inmate. In this field, experience is a plus, especially when the services deal with individuals who are being released from correctional facilities. There is unfortunately, explains Ms. Rubenstein, a stigma attached and the way to overcome it is to see people as individuals. She believes that there is the need to “get past the view of ‘us/them’ because “as long as there’s a group excluded, society as a whole suffers.”

Ms. Rubenstein has a holistic view of individuals, believing that “human beings, whether in prison or not are always growing, changing and evolving—it’s just the nature of being human.”

The biggest challenge regarding the criminal justice system is lack of funding. But Rubenstein closely monitors the possibility of the return of Pell Grants. A national conference is planned with a focus on a more organized campaign for Pell Grants for correctional facilities. Rubenstein believes that with the return of Pell Grants, “educational programs will return and benefit society as a whole. #

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