(WBBM NEWSRADIO) – Access to higher education courses behind bars is about to get a lot better in Illinois, and advocates say that will be better for those of us outside the prisons.
Up to now, higher education in prison has been a patchwork of good programs at some institutions and spotty or no programs at others.
But Sharon Varallo, director of the Augustana Prison Education Program, says change is coming now that the state has issued new directives.
“Just days ago, Illinois Department of Corrections put out a new administrative directive on a comprehensive college education in prison policy,” Varallo said.
Carl Williams, a tutor and advocate with the Illinois Coalition for Higher Education in Prison, was incarcerated. He said the education he received turned his life around.
“The education brought me a greater awareness but also allowed me to position myself to work to do better.”
Williams did. Now, he helps inmates and runs his own custom furniture business.
Prison education is the topic of “At Issue” this weekend. It airs at 9:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. Sunday.
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