Brandon Seng
Michigan Nonprofit Association

“People in my neighborhood dropped out of school,” wrote a student to State Senator Switalski.  “They didn’t think about college.  Neither did I.  Now I do.  My life has changed.  My life will be changed when I get out.” 

This letter was crafted by a student writing not from behind a desk, but from behind bars.  The change in this inmate’s outlook on higher education comes as a result of a partnership between the University of Michigan-Dearborn and the Scott Correctional Facility for Women in Plymouth, Michigan.  This partnership offers college level courses to the residents of Scott, and is proving to this population of incarcerated females that higher education is a tangible alterative to a life of crime.

Research in Michigan and elsewhere has long demonstrated disproportionate numbers of female inmates are undereducated.  46 percent of the women at Scott have less than a 12 grade education.  Many of these women are eager and deserving of exposure to education.  The program has offered university certified courses in Women’s Studies, Composition, Sociology, African American Studies and other classes to women at the Scott Correctional Facility.  These university level courses are taught by University of Michigan – Dearborn professors on a volunteer basis.

In addition to the classes offered, the University of Michigan – Dearborn has implemented a mentoring component in this program.  Students who are members in Women in Learning and Leadership act as voluntary academic mentors to the students at Scott.

On initial open enrollment in 2004 for four courses, 187 inmates applied for 125 spaces.  In 2006 those numbers grew to over 250 applicants.  According to the Bureau of Justice statistics, 93 percent of people sent to prison re-enter society at some point.  Those women who receive a college education, or who begin the degree process while in prison are more likely to be successful in this transition.

All credits earned through the courses offered at Scott will transfer to the University if an inmate chooses to continue their education upon release.  Several of the students at Scott plan to take advantage of this offer, and have applied for enrollment in the Fall of 2007.  The partnership of these two organizations has dealt a round of second chances, and stands to greatly decrease the tax burden by helping inmates transition upon release, who might otherwise end up back behind bars.