Literacy behind Bars

Written by professionals with experience working with incarcerated people, this resource is for educators and librarians who engage youth and adults ‘behind the fence’ in the English language arts…. The foreword and preface present a well-documented overview that connects poor literacy skills to incarceration. The editors introduce their text with a strong rationale that explains the literary deficits and unique needs of the incarcerated…. Well-written, insightful, timely, applicable across place and audience, this book is a fantastic resource for librarians and teachers working with incarcerated populations. These lessons are easily adaptable to an urban, general education setting and may improve the literacy skills of those at risk. * VOYA *
Well-written and academic in nature, this will most likely be needed in libraries supporting the educational needs of incarcerated teens and adults either to reaffirm what they are already achieving or to convince those in power to try something new. * School Library Connection *
Literacy Behind Bars is an integral text for professionals on both sides of the barbed wire fence. As an veteran secondary English of 25 years with experience in juvenile justice education and research, I stand in both excitement and awe to review this resource for multiple reasons. First, it is a valuable resource for educators demystifying literacy instruction for arguably the most vulnerable population in education. Second, the authors and contributors are well versed in education within confined settings and/or literacy curriculum development and instruction. And last, themes of reverence, hospitality, empathy, and acknowledgment of youth as unique individuals with both human and cultural capital to share with the world permeate each chapter. . . . this text presents specific, research and theory based lessons that will, through the development of reading, writing, creative and communication skills, empower students, giving voice to the voiceless and helping youth understand their own potential contributions to the greater conversations of the world. * Journal of Applied Juvenile Justice Services *
Mixing personal experiences and stories from incarcerated inmates while built on a strong foundation of research, this volume provides valuable information and insights to teachers and librarians working in correctional facilities. Many of the essays describe literacy programs which bridge the core contradiction – a correctional facility is about rules and restrictions, while literacy is about freedom and choices – and could thus serve as relevant models for others working with people living behind bars in the age of mass incarceration. -- Patrick Jones, author Teen Incarceration: From Cell Bars to Ankle Bracelets (Twenty-First Century Books, 2016)
Literacy behind Bars is grounded in solid research, offers exciting new strategies, and is enlivened by firsthand accounts of teaching experience. -- Stephanie Guerra, Adjunct Professor, Seattle University and Founder & Director, Creative Writing Program, King County Juvenile Detention Center