Berry Students Take Education Inside Floyd County Jail
Fifteen Berry College students have taken their education inside the walls of the Floyd County Jail through a unique upper-level sociology course being offered as part of the Inside Out Prison Exchange Program. Berry is the first college or university in Georgia to take part in this national program.
Dr. Sarah Allred, assistant professor of sociology at Berry, initiated the class in cooperation with Floyd County law enforcement officials. Joining her as co-facilitator is Elizabeth Wallace, director of community missions for Rome First United Methodist Church. Together, they oversee a diverse group of students that includes 15 Berry undergrads, 12 inmates and one member of the Rome faith community.
“This course has been like no other for me and the students,” Dr. Allred said. “Initially, we were nervous and uncertain about how it would work. As it has turned out, we have been able to create an environment of trust in which we have pursued a deep, sometimes difficult, understanding of how the issues of crime, justice, race, gender and incarceration affect our lives as individuals and as a society.”
The Inside Out Prison Exchange Program got its start in 1997 through the efforts of Program Director Lori Pompa and the support of the Philadelphia Prison System and Temple University. In the years since, that program has turned into a national model for approximately 125 courses taught at 36 colleges and universities in 18 different states.
Dr. Allred feels the program is a natural complement to Berry’s commitment to providing firsthand learning experiences for its students while emphasizing a comprehensive education of the “head, heart and hands.” Students echoed her sentiments.
“It has been an honor to be in the first Inside Out class in the state,” said senior English major Becky McDaniel. “I hope that our experience makes it possible for this program to become open to many more students. The more chances we have to interact, the better we will understand each other and the more hope we will create for the future.”
“The people inside this program offer a unique perspective,” added senior psychology major Kelly Graham, “one that you can’t get in a normal classroom.”
The inmates, referred to as “inside students” in the vernacular of the program, have been similarly impacted by the class, which concludes with an April 24 graduation ceremony.
“It has meant a lot to me and my kid’s future; it means freedom for me and a new start on life,” said Kimberly, one of the inside students participating in the program.
“It’s an unforgettable experience that I plan on sharing with others,” remarked April, another inside student.
As Wallace sees it, the program benefits the local faith community as well.
“I’ve always wanted to offer an educational and experiential opportunity that would help churches and other religious groups better understand the sociological context of those they are called upon to serve,” she stated. “The Inside Out program fills that niche.”
To learn more about Inside Out go to www.temple.edu/inside-out.
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