Note: Roots of Success is an environmental program led by incarcerated instructors in 10 of 12 prisons in the state, and in many other corrections institutions statewide. In Washington, more than 1000 incarcerated students have graduated from the 50 hour course since 2013. More about the program here.
Originally published by WA Corrections, Tuesday, July 11, 2017; re-printed here with permission
Roots of Success graduation photo from Airway Heights Corrections Center.
Roots of Success was created by Dr. Raquel Pinderhughes, a Professor of Urban Studies and Planning at the San Francisco State University, as the signature curriculum of the Environmental Literacy Curriculum Project (ELCP).
Originally, this curriculum was designed to increase environmental literacy, academic literacy, and job readiness skills. However, at Airway Heights Corrections Center (AHCC) this curriculum has taught inmates a fourth and much needed skill, “caring.”
In an inmate’s day-to-day journey through the Washington correctional system, and especially at AHCC, an inmate can often become disconnected from society. This has historically made the process of returning to their communities difficult. Dr. Pinderhughes’ program seeks to lessen that burden by closing inmate’s educational gap, and inspiring them to “consider the environment in their work and daily lives, develop leadership, and move people toward a place of action in order to support green pathways out of poverty, equitable green development, environmental and social justice, and community participation in decision making.” (Roots of Success, Instructor’s Manual, 2015)
After taking the course, many inmate have exhibited a profound change in their attitudes and social interactions with other inmates. In fact, AHCC administration has included this program in their “good time” restoration pathway as a means for inmates to earn back lost good time resulting from various rule violations. At the date of this article, several of the AHCC Roots of Success facilitators are successful graduates of the good time restoration pathway program. This is one of the many examples of this program’s positive impact on inmates residing at AHCC.
To find how Roots of Success has led to graduates caring more for their communities, one need to look no further than the City of Spokane, Washington, where they will find blankets made out of reclaimed used clothing (made by graduate volunteers), and fresh vegetables (grown by graduates). These resources are generated at AHCC by volunteer inmates, at no cost to tax payers, and donated to Spokane charities to help combat the cold and hunger felt by local children, individuals, and families in the Spokane area.
Roots of Success covers 10 modules, each focused on a topic. The curriculum is solutions-based, designed to meet the needs of students not well served by mainstream education, and builds both workplace and community-based skills.
2 Comments:
Philip .P. Sieniarecki
To whom it may concern: My name is Philip.P. Sieniarecki I was incarcerated in Air way heights in 2009-2010 I received my G.E.D. Threw the air way school. My house has recently burned down and my G.E.D. was in it i was wondering if you at the airway Heights school might have a copy I now have a new and better job and desperately need it if you can pleas help that would be amazing. If not pleas direct me in the path of being able to find it.
Thank You Sincerely: Philip.P. Sieniarecki On 07/04/2018 D.O.C.# 810047
trivettj
Hello Philip. Glad you reached out. We will forward your contact information and message to AHCC, and hope that they will be able to meet your needs…seems a reasonable and warranted request!