Second Chance
Problem Statement
According to the National Former Prison Survey (2018), a quarter of individuals who were formerly incarcerated do not possess a basic high school diploma or GED. Furthermore, one-third (33%) achieved a GED as their highest level of education rather than a traditional high school diploma. While the mainstream education system offers a variety of subjects and vocational training, prison education programs generally tend to focus on basic literacy with scarce resources. This highlights the educational gap between prisoners and the general population, and this arises due to a combination of factors such as resource limitations, systemic issues, and social disparity.
People in minimum security facilities face major barriers to employment which hinder their chances of harmonious reintegration into society. Many individuals have access to limited resources which makes them underprepared for the ever-changing job scenario. A lack of essential communication skills—such as language use, vocabulary, and grammar—can hinder their ability to create resumes, apply for jobs, and communicate effectively in a workplace setting.
Writing is one of the basic skills that is required for effective communication. It proves to be a tool not just in securing jobs but also in executing them. Further, it is critical for adapting to life outside prison. The proposed professional writing module will allow individuals to enhance the skills necessary to express themselves clearly, thus increasing their chances of successful rehabilitation.
Overview of Proposed Educational Module
Despite the critical role that efficient writing plays in professional success, many people still struggle with it. In today’s dynamic world, strong writing skills are essential for success in any career. The proposed 10-week module aims to sharpen writing skills needed to produce clear and concise documents.
This module aims to identify the gap in the participants’ writing abilities and help them prepare for future careers by providing practical writing experience and fostering critical thinking.
The module is designed keeping in mind the practical application of learning material which the participants can use after their reintegration. It aims to develop certain critical skills such as the ability to find information, scan for relevant material, and assess the validity of content as well as how to respond to job ads.
By focusing on practical writing exercises and projects, this module will address the specific needs of the participants, making it relevant and impactful.
Curriculum
The module will begin with a survey to assess participants’ present level of skills. This will also help the facilitator understand the specific areas that the participants need more attention.
Following this, the first two weeks will focus on the basics of written communication. This will be an interactive session where participants are expected to engage, and an overview of different writing styles and formats will be introduced.
After these two weeks, the participants will begin working on creating professional documents such as resumes and cover letters. This will be focused on curating resumes for targeted job ads. This will emphasize understanding the audience and adjusting the tone of the response.
In the following week, participants will be introduced to report writing. This will help them structure content for documents and other updates. They will also be introduced to methods of data presentation and analysis.
Toward the end of the module, one week will be dedicated to the nuances of technical documentation and how to design and write them. This will be focused on presenting information for all levels of readers. This will be a group task and there will be a presentation based on this. This will also give participants exposure to public speaking and structuring information in a coherent way.
This module will conclude with a real-life job application process where the facilitator will workshop with the participants and focus on individual feedback. The module includes two guest speakers during the last week who will share their experiences and conduct a workshop with the participants.
Course Learning Goals
Using the conventions of proper grammar when writing documents
Applying principles of rhetoric in their writing to persuade their audience
Assessing the appropriateness of documents in the workplace
Creating materials that are ready to use for job applications
Presenting their ideas clearly and effectively through presentations
Major Projects
Business Email Project: Participants will draft business correspondence focusing on clarity and professionalism.
Resume and Cover Letter: Participants will create and refine resumes and cover letters in preparation for job applications.
Technical Document Creation: In groups, participants will develop a user manual for a common task, emphasizing usability.
Schedule
| Topic | Duration |
|---|---|
Entry-level Survey | 1 day |
Grammar Review | 1 week |
Introduction to Professional Writing | 1 week |
Business Correspondence and Emails | 1 week |
Resumes and Cover Letters | 1 week |
Professional Reports | 1 week |
Technical Documentation with User Manual Project | 1 week |
Presentations | 1 week |
Job Applications (two guest speakers) | 2 weeks |
Concluding Day (exit survey, reflection on learning and next steps) | 1 day |
Budget
This module is designed to be a practical course with minimum investment in terms of resources. Moreover, most of these resources can be reused for a future group of learners.
It is important that participants have access to a basic laptop so they can work on their writing skills, projects, and job applications. The module will require some basic books for foundational knowledge and access to software. Lastly, printing supplies and stationery items will help organize notes and make it easier to study and retain information.
| Resources | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
Classroom Materials (books, writing tools) | $1,000 |
Instruction Cost (facilitator’s fees) | $2,500 |
Chromebooks (25) | $5,000 |
Printing Supplies (printers, stationery) | $700 |
Guest Speaker Fees | $500 |
Total | $9,700 |
My Qualifications
I hold a PhD in English from the National Institute of Technology Durgapur (India) along with a certificate in Professional and Technical Writing from San José State University (USA). Over the years, I have gained knowledge about various aspects of writing, editing, analyzing, and publishing academic papers.
I have two years of experience teaching college-level students and helping them enhance their writing and comprehension skills. In addition to teaching, I have experience in curriculum development and designing course material for undergraduate students. I am committed to fostering an inclusive learning environment that empowers participants.
Measure of Success
Measuring success is vital for improving the educational experience, motivating students, tracking their progress, and ensuring that learning is relevant and impactful.
For this professional writing module, success will be evaluated through:
Participant Feedback: Surveys assessing participants’ confidence in their writing skills and their overall satisfaction with the course. The exit survey will indicate their progress since Day 1.
Project Assessments: Evaluation of written projects for each unit based on established rubrics, mainly focusing on clarity, coherence, and adherence to the general rules of writing.
Skill Improvement: Pre- and post-module assessments will provide a baseline measurement of participants’ writing abilities at the beginning of the module and will be compared with their performance at the end.
Effectiveness: Assessment of participant resumes and cover letters for clarity and professionalism.
This educational module aims to equip minimum-security prisoners with essential writing skills that will enhance their employability and support successful reintegration into society, ultimately fostering a more productive post-release life.