Hope through Education

Literacy and learning life skills open new worlds of opportunity to former inmates previously accustomed to limited modes of living.

To say that participants in Dawson State Jail’s Texas Hope Literacy program are simply learning to read downplays the comprehensive curriculum designed by language therapist Lucy Smith. Here, offenders are learning educational and practical life skills that translate into success in the post-release world, with lessons in spelling, grammar, reading comprehension, Latin and Greek, cursive writing, composition and basic math, in addition to parenting and substance abuse classes.

“My goal was to go in and remediate those who had problems and were never helped when they were children,” says program founder and director Lucy Smith.

Inmates in the Hope Literacy program also learn how to integrate themselves into a community, with living units designed into teams called “cities,” where the roles of governor, peer educators and students are assigned and enacted. Inmates learn not only how to function as a microcosm within a larger community, but also model the workplace environment they will enter upon release.

The formula of basic education meets fundamental life skills helps rehabilitate former inmates like Margie Jackson, 45, who was released in September 2006.

“The English lessons were most valuable. I learned about more sounds of words that I didn’t really learn in school. It helped a lot,” she says. “I knew the teachings they gave us would help me with my situation when I got out.”

Jackson now works as a home health care aide and remains inspired about the future, committed to optimism and positive influences.

“When I went to Dawson, I wanted to do better than I had been doing,” she says. “When I got out, I put what I wanted to do in motion and did the right thing this time. I learned a whole lot, and it made me a better person.”

Smith believes that the emotional support entrenched in the program also promotes inmate recovery and reform.

“They want to be loved and accepted as they are, where they are. I tell them, ‘All I care about is, from this moment forward, where are you going?’ Many of our women have been abused as children,” she says. “Many have been in very negative relationships. Many have had academic failure.”

But failure is no longer an option for those who successfully complete the Texas Governor’s Award-winning program. With newfound confidence and a spirit of resilience, graduates like Jackson are committed to permanent change.

“As long as you have people who are willing to work with you, and you have made up your mind to do better, you’ll be just fine,” Jackson says. “Keep positive people in your life and stay away from negativity. You can conquer your fears of success, with people like Ms. Smith behind you.”