Communication from Dr. Lattimore
March 15, 2015
Good Evening,
I wanted to share some very good news. After a LONG wait, the ladies of Perryville Prison were give the chance to take the New Official GED test today. We were able to have 7 ladies test on the 5 laptops, as the new test is 100% online. I am happy to report ALL 7 passed the tests they took. (3) of those ladies were fortunate enough to use funds from the scholarship money your chapter donated almost 2 years ago (yes we still had money left since it had been so long). I am hoping we can have the GED Examiner come out again soon and these ladies can finish what they started and earn their GED. Just wanted to pass on the good news and say how much not only myself, but the ladies of Perryville appreciate the support of AAUW :)
Take Care
Dr. TeYawna N. Lattimore PhD
"Love, Respect, and Admiration"
For web-site
May 26, 2015
Good Morning Ladies,
I am sorry for my delayed response as I was on vacation (on a cruise) for a week. This was AWESOME news to come back to and read. While I was on vacation (5/19), Perryville was given another Official GED test. We were able to test (8) ladies and ALL of them passed the subject they took. Not only did we have all the ladies pass, but 3 passed with HONORS. They were only allowed to take (1) subject because of time and laptop usage, but this was a GREAT way to show ADC that the ladies are in fact ready and prepared. None of the ladies who tested last week used AAUW funds (as I was down to $140), but with the information of the additional funds from AAUW this will allow some other ladies that are prepared (but unable to pay) the chance to test. We have already been given test dates for June. You have NO IDEA how thankful myself and these ladies are. I will touch base with Rita, as I have reached out to ADC to get the name and account information to pass on to her.
Thanks so mcuh for the efforts of AAUW and continued support you ladies have given us.
Dr. TeYawna Lattimore
P.S. Just as an update, the test costs $25 each subect ($100 each student), so you ladies will help more than 2 earn their GED :)
Good Evening,
I wanted to share some very good news. After a LONG wait, the ladies of Perryville Prison were give the chance to take the New Official GED test today. We were able to have 7 ladies test on the 5 laptops, as the new test is 100% online. I am happy to report ALL 7 passed the tests they took. (3) of those ladies were fortunate enough to use funds from the scholarship money your chapter donated almost 2 years ago (yes we still had money left since it had been so long). I am hoping we can have the GED Examiner come out again soon and these ladies can finish what they started and earn their GED. Just wanted to pass on the good news and say how much not only myself, but the ladies of Perryville appreciate the support of AAUW :)
Take Care
Dr. TeYawna N. Lattimore PhD
"Love, Respect, and Admiration"
For web-site
May 26, 2015
Good Morning Ladies,
I am sorry for my delayed response as I was on vacation (on a cruise) for a week. This was AWESOME news to come back to and read. While I was on vacation (5/19), Perryville was given another Official GED test. We were able to test (8) ladies and ALL of them passed the subject they took. Not only did we have all the ladies pass, but 3 passed with HONORS. They were only allowed to take (1) subject because of time and laptop usage, but this was a GREAT way to show ADC that the ladies are in fact ready and prepared. None of the ladies who tested last week used AAUW funds (as I was down to $140), but with the information of the additional funds from AAUW this will allow some other ladies that are prepared (but unable to pay) the chance to test. We have already been given test dates for June. You have NO IDEA how thankful myself and these ladies are. I will touch base with Rita, as I have reached out to ADC to get the name and account information to pass on to her.
Thanks so mcuh for the efforts of AAUW and continued support you ladies have given us.
Dr. TeYawna Lattimore
P.S. Just as an update, the test costs $25 each subect ($100 each student), so you ladies will help more than 2 earn their GED :)
Photo of Graduation
Items Needed for Newly Released Inmates
Sweaters, T-shirts, Jeans/pants, Socks, Jackets, Tennis Shoes/boots, Gloves, Benny hats
- Please keep in mind that the ladies who need these clothes have no family or housing upon release so try not to send “job search clothes”. The inmate is allowed to take one outfit one she will have to live with while living on the streets. Most in need at this time are socks, jackets, sweater, gloves and hats.
Books
Religious, Romance (nothing too racy)
Inspirational, Educational, Self Help /DYI, Historic
Word finds/puzzles/Sudoku
Miscellaneous
- No board games with dice
Yarn - all units in need (Santa Maria, Piestwa, San Perdo, San Carlos, Santa Cruz)
Playing cards (porker cards, Uno cards, go fish cards)
Playing equipment – soft ball gloves, balls
Paintbrushes
Paint (water base) small 2 fl oz are most welcomed
Press Release
WEST VALLEY AAUW WOMEN SUPPORT PERRYVILLE GED PROGRAM
Perryville women inmates are making great strides in improving their lives by completing their General Educational Development (GED) while in prison. Helping them financially to pay for these tests is a local group, the West Valley branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW). Although a very small branch out of the hundreds of AAUW women in Arizona, the West Valley branch feels strongly in contributing to this program.
“With a GED upon release, Arizona women inmates can change their lives dramatically,” says Heather Rayner, West Valley AAUW president. “We’ve raised several hundred dollars in the last few years to contribute to these women. We feel very strongly this is a worthwhile program that can have an incredibly powerful and positive impact on their lives.”
To get a better sense of what the inmates’ program is like, six members of the West Valley AAUW toured the Perryville prison recently. The classrooms were visited and brief conversations with the inmates and teachers were the highlights of the tour.
After speaking with the women, it became clear how much this opportunity to get their GED means to their future on the ‘outside.’ “We were very impressed with the quality of the teachers and the positive attitude and work ethic exhibited by the inmates. These women want to be in this program. They are studying hard and working diligently to pass all aspects of the GED program,” says Rayner. “The only thing that is stopping them is a limited number of instructors and openings in the classes.” In January the cost of the class increased dramatically, from $35 currently to $100. This is where scholarship money from groups such as the West Valley AAUW is so important. Unless an inmate has support from family members they are unable to pay the cost of the tests. Beth Hoye, Perryville education director, says the returning to prison rate for inmates nationwide has dropped to 43% due to similar GED programs. Of those in the Perryville program the average age of inmates is about 35 with the youngest at 18 years, however many are in their 40s or older. The older inmates are happy to have the opportunity to participate and have taken advantage of the program, Hoye says. The Perryville prison is the only women’s prison in Arizona.
The West Valley AAUW partners with Rio Salado College in their donations for the GED program in Perryville. In addition to making financial donations, the AAUW group also collects clothing and toiletries for inmates after their release. Recently one of the branch members was able to get large quantities of knitting and crocheting supplies for the inmates. The women have enjoyed learning these new skills, says West Valley AAUW member Shirley Talley. For more information on this program and the West Valley AAUW please contact Shirley at 623-694-0113.
Perryville women inmates are making great strides in improving their lives by completing their General Educational Development (GED) while in prison. Helping them financially to pay for these tests is a local group, the West Valley branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW). Although a very small branch out of the hundreds of AAUW women in Arizona, the West Valley branch feels strongly in contributing to this program.
“With a GED upon release, Arizona women inmates can change their lives dramatically,” says Heather Rayner, West Valley AAUW president. “We’ve raised several hundred dollars in the last few years to contribute to these women. We feel very strongly this is a worthwhile program that can have an incredibly powerful and positive impact on their lives.”
To get a better sense of what the inmates’ program is like, six members of the West Valley AAUW toured the Perryville prison recently. The classrooms were visited and brief conversations with the inmates and teachers were the highlights of the tour.
After speaking with the women, it became clear how much this opportunity to get their GED means to their future on the ‘outside.’ “We were very impressed with the quality of the teachers and the positive attitude and work ethic exhibited by the inmates. These women want to be in this program. They are studying hard and working diligently to pass all aspects of the GED program,” says Rayner. “The only thing that is stopping them is a limited number of instructors and openings in the classes.” In January the cost of the class increased dramatically, from $35 currently to $100. This is where scholarship money from groups such as the West Valley AAUW is so important. Unless an inmate has support from family members they are unable to pay the cost of the tests. Beth Hoye, Perryville education director, says the returning to prison rate for inmates nationwide has dropped to 43% due to similar GED programs. Of those in the Perryville program the average age of inmates is about 35 with the youngest at 18 years, however many are in their 40s or older. The older inmates are happy to have the opportunity to participate and have taken advantage of the program, Hoye says. The Perryville prison is the only women’s prison in Arizona.
The West Valley AAUW partners with Rio Salado College in their donations for the GED program in Perryville. In addition to making financial donations, the AAUW group also collects clothing and toiletries for inmates after their release. Recently one of the branch members was able to get large quantities of knitting and crocheting supplies for the inmates. The women have enjoyed learning these new skills, says West Valley AAUW member Shirley Talley. For more information on this program and the West Valley AAUW please contact Shirley at 623-694-0113.
UPON RELEASE
Naïve, that’s what I was. Just plain naïve. I thought prisoners released from Arizona prisons could go on with their lives; that is, if I did think about it at all. But, that is not the case. My education began as a pen pal to two people imprisoned in Maricopa County. I kept in contact with them after their releases. I discovered my assumptions were incorrect. When I saw what they were dealing with, I started talking to other former inmates. This is what I discovered.
When imprisoned, $50 of the money the inmate earns goes into an account and is returned to them upon release. They are given a set of clothing that was donated to the prison and are typically very worn. The inmate has about two minutes to select the garments and is not given the opportunity to try them on. If the inmate has family or friends on the outside, they can bring appropriate clothing to them. If not, they are stuck with what they are given. If no one picks them up, a prison van takes them to a nearby shopping center and drops them off. From there, the person must get to their residence, if they have a place to live. That entails figuring out bus schedules and buying a bus ticket with the prison-issued debit card.
Many people go to state approved half-way houses where they immediately owe the first week’s rent. They are expected to pay from $100 to $150 per week for their room. One released inmate I spoke with arrived at the halfway house on Friday and the next Wednesday was informed that she needed to pay $250 within two days for the first and second week’s rent. Unable to pay, she was kicked out. Frightened and confused, she stayed at a homeless shelter for nearly a week until her parole officer approved her move in with a family member. Fortunately, another ex-prisoner at the shelter helped her orient.
This is not unusual. Others ex-inmates who could not afford housing and did not have family support were at the shelter. I strongly suspect that a number of the homeless population in the Phoenix area are ex-inmates who cannot afford housing. Halfway houses need to be paid for providing housing for former prisoners. However, the system puts a difficult burden on the recently released person. There must be a better way!
This brings me to Fair Housing laws. It is illegal to discriminate due to color, gender, etc., but NOT illegal to discriminate due to a felony. Potential renters with criminal records can legally be denied housing. Many apartment managers are not allowed to rent to felons. So, where can they go? On the streets?
Within 48 hours of release, parolees must check in with their parole officer. Having someone drive them is a great help. If on their own, they must locate the parole officer’s office, learn bus routes and buy a bus ticket out of their rapidly diminishing $50. If they fail to meet with their parole officer within the prescribed time, they are in violation of their parole and could be sent back to prison. Also, parolees are required to pay a $65 parole fee monthly unless living in a halfway house.
Freedom brings great responsibility and stress. Parolees must instantly adjust to an environment entirely different from the one they have lived in for years – sometimes 10 to 20 years for a non-violent crime due to longer sentences being imposed under Truth-in-Sentencing laws. Their prison environment allowed few decisions. Freedom requires a multitude of decisions daily. As one woman described it, “It’s like being shot out of a cannon blindfolded.”
The ex-inmate must get state identification, sign up for ACCESS and food stamps if they are eligible, find AA or NA programs to attend if required and, if appropriate, sign up for Social Security benefits. Thankfully, Arizona provides released inmates a free cell phone with 200 minutes if they are eligible for food stamps. This is critical for job hunting and contact with their parole officer.
Eligibility for food stamps and a free phone: another area of discrimination. One ex-inmate had a 13year-old drug possession conviction. Because of that conviction, no matter how long ago it occurred, she was ineligible for food stamps and a free phone. Without a phone how can she be notified of the required random drug test, hear from potential employers or contact her parole officer? How does denial of food stamps and a phone help people get their lives in order so they do not reoffend?
“Do the crime. Do the time.” A catchy slogan. Makes sense. So, once the time for the crime is over – oops, I found that the time is never, ever over! In Arizona, once a felon, always a felon. Discrimination against felons is legal in hiring. Job applications can have a box to check asking if the applicant has ever been convicted of a felony. The employer can legally choose not to hire anyone who checks “yes.” An ex-inmate with a master’s degree in project management and a 30 year work history has been unable to get an interview or job since her release. “A felony”, she said, “is a gift that keeps on giving.”
For some jobs security is important. But, does the employer need to know if that employee is washing dishes, flipping burgers or doing landscaping? One parolee told me she was encouraged to plead guilty to a lesser charge rather than appear in court and plead her case. Like many others in Arizona prisons, her crime as related to her previously diagnosed psychiatric problem. She followed the public defender’s advice, unaware of how that plea would affect the rest of her life.
In Arizona those with a felony lose their right to vote. To regain it they must pay all their fines, legal fees and restitution, then petition a judge with letters of reference and get court agreement. This is a difficult and expensive task. Perhaps when they have “paid their debt to society” by imprisonment that basic right should automatically be reinstated.
Yes, I am now less naïve. I look at the homeless and the prison population differently. I even think of the man who burglarized my home differently. Previously I’d say, “Why doesn’t he get a job?” Now I think, “Maybe he’s a felon who, having done his time, can’t get a job or food stamps or money to pay rent. Maybe this is the only option he sees.” I wish he had not burglarized my home but I don’t know what I would do in such a tough, no-win situation.
Now, aware of all this, what can I do to help rectify a situation detrimental to us all? I start by writing this paper in hopes that others read it, increase their awareness and are stimulated to reach out in ways appropriate for them to help ex-inmates. Readers may choose hands-on or financial approaches, may use their computers to lobby elected officials or work in organizations. Some Phoenix area non-profits work directly with released inmates, such as Gina’s Team and Project Connect. Their volunteers meet inmates upon release and help them with clothing, ID’s, transportation and other necessities in the first week. Some work with the homeless in general. MANA helps homeless veterans. Justa Center focuses on homeless seniors. Don’t forget United Way and The Salvation Army. Readers may research this subject more and inform acquaintances, thereby shining a light on discriminatory laws and practices.
In some ways I am still naïve. I believe people want their fellow humans to be treated fairly. I am hopeful that, together, we can make it happen. Written by Nancee Noel at AAUW Northwest Valley Branch
Naïve, that’s what I was. Just plain naïve. I thought prisoners released from Arizona prisons could go on with their lives; that is, if I did think about it at all. But, that is not the case. My education began as a pen pal to two people imprisoned in Maricopa County. I kept in contact with them after their releases. I discovered my assumptions were incorrect. When I saw what they were dealing with, I started talking to other former inmates. This is what I discovered.
When imprisoned, $50 of the money the inmate earns goes into an account and is returned to them upon release. They are given a set of clothing that was donated to the prison and are typically very worn. The inmate has about two minutes to select the garments and is not given the opportunity to try them on. If the inmate has family or friends on the outside, they can bring appropriate clothing to them. If not, they are stuck with what they are given. If no one picks them up, a prison van takes them to a nearby shopping center and drops them off. From there, the person must get to their residence, if they have a place to live. That entails figuring out bus schedules and buying a bus ticket with the prison-issued debit card.
Many people go to state approved half-way houses where they immediately owe the first week’s rent. They are expected to pay from $100 to $150 per week for their room. One released inmate I spoke with arrived at the halfway house on Friday and the next Wednesday was informed that she needed to pay $250 within two days for the first and second week’s rent. Unable to pay, she was kicked out. Frightened and confused, she stayed at a homeless shelter for nearly a week until her parole officer approved her move in with a family member. Fortunately, another ex-prisoner at the shelter helped her orient.
This is not unusual. Others ex-inmates who could not afford housing and did not have family support were at the shelter. I strongly suspect that a number of the homeless population in the Phoenix area are ex-inmates who cannot afford housing. Halfway houses need to be paid for providing housing for former prisoners. However, the system puts a difficult burden on the recently released person. There must be a better way!
This brings me to Fair Housing laws. It is illegal to discriminate due to color, gender, etc., but NOT illegal to discriminate due to a felony. Potential renters with criminal records can legally be denied housing. Many apartment managers are not allowed to rent to felons. So, where can they go? On the streets?
Within 48 hours of release, parolees must check in with their parole officer. Having someone drive them is a great help. If on their own, they must locate the parole officer’s office, learn bus routes and buy a bus ticket out of their rapidly diminishing $50. If they fail to meet with their parole officer within the prescribed time, they are in violation of their parole and could be sent back to prison. Also, parolees are required to pay a $65 parole fee monthly unless living in a halfway house.
Freedom brings great responsibility and stress. Parolees must instantly adjust to an environment entirely different from the one they have lived in for years – sometimes 10 to 20 years for a non-violent crime due to longer sentences being imposed under Truth-in-Sentencing laws. Their prison environment allowed few decisions. Freedom requires a multitude of decisions daily. As one woman described it, “It’s like being shot out of a cannon blindfolded.”
The ex-inmate must get state identification, sign up for ACCESS and food stamps if they are eligible, find AA or NA programs to attend if required and, if appropriate, sign up for Social Security benefits. Thankfully, Arizona provides released inmates a free cell phone with 200 minutes if they are eligible for food stamps. This is critical for job hunting and contact with their parole officer.
Eligibility for food stamps and a free phone: another area of discrimination. One ex-inmate had a 13year-old drug possession conviction. Because of that conviction, no matter how long ago it occurred, she was ineligible for food stamps and a free phone. Without a phone how can she be notified of the required random drug test, hear from potential employers or contact her parole officer? How does denial of food stamps and a phone help people get their lives in order so they do not reoffend?
“Do the crime. Do the time.” A catchy slogan. Makes sense. So, once the time for the crime is over – oops, I found that the time is never, ever over! In Arizona, once a felon, always a felon. Discrimination against felons is legal in hiring. Job applications can have a box to check asking if the applicant has ever been convicted of a felony. The employer can legally choose not to hire anyone who checks “yes.” An ex-inmate with a master’s degree in project management and a 30 year work history has been unable to get an interview or job since her release. “A felony”, she said, “is a gift that keeps on giving.”
For some jobs security is important. But, does the employer need to know if that employee is washing dishes, flipping burgers or doing landscaping? One parolee told me she was encouraged to plead guilty to a lesser charge rather than appear in court and plead her case. Like many others in Arizona prisons, her crime as related to her previously diagnosed psychiatric problem. She followed the public defender’s advice, unaware of how that plea would affect the rest of her life.
In Arizona those with a felony lose their right to vote. To regain it they must pay all their fines, legal fees and restitution, then petition a judge with letters of reference and get court agreement. This is a difficult and expensive task. Perhaps when they have “paid their debt to society” by imprisonment that basic right should automatically be reinstated.
Yes, I am now less naïve. I look at the homeless and the prison population differently. I even think of the man who burglarized my home differently. Previously I’d say, “Why doesn’t he get a job?” Now I think, “Maybe he’s a felon who, having done his time, can’t get a job or food stamps or money to pay rent. Maybe this is the only option he sees.” I wish he had not burglarized my home but I don’t know what I would do in such a tough, no-win situation.
Now, aware of all this, what can I do to help rectify a situation detrimental to us all? I start by writing this paper in hopes that others read it, increase their awareness and are stimulated to reach out in ways appropriate for them to help ex-inmates. Readers may choose hands-on or financial approaches, may use their computers to lobby elected officials or work in organizations. Some Phoenix area non-profits work directly with released inmates, such as Gina’s Team and Project Connect. Their volunteers meet inmates upon release and help them with clothing, ID’s, transportation and other necessities in the first week. Some work with the homeless in general. MANA helps homeless veterans. Justa Center focuses on homeless seniors. Don’t forget United Way and The Salvation Army. Readers may research this subject more and inform acquaintances, thereby shining a light on discriminatory laws and practices.
In some ways I am still naïve. I believe people want their fellow humans to be treated fairly. I am hopeful that, together, we can make it happen. Written by Nancee Noel at AAUW Northwest Valley Branch
PRISON 101 - AMERICA IS THE INCARCERATION NATION
How America ranks in the world / How Arizon ranks in the nation. These are the numbers that reflect our values as Americans
America:
5% of the world’s population
25% of the world’s incarcerated population
Arizona:
6th in nation in incarceration
48th in the nation in education
1 in 28 children has a parent in prison
1 in 32 Americans is under some kind of supervision
7 million Americans are in prison, on parole or on probation.
93% of all inmates will be released to a life without hope
750,000 released annually
In America, it’s an $80 BILLION BUSINESS. 60% FAILURE RATE.
America is ADDICTED to Incarceration
For every 100,000 people, America incarcerates 763
For every 100,000 people, England incarcerates 153
For every 100,000 people, France incarcerates 93
For every 100,000 people, Germany incarcerates 90
In addition to the 688,000 people released from prisons each year, almost 12 million people cycle through local jails each year. Jail churn is particularly high because at any given moment most of the 722,000 people in local jails have not been convicted and are in jail because they are either too poor to make bail and are being held before trial, or because they’ve just been arrested and will make bail in the next few hours or days. The remainder of the people in jail — almost 300,000 — are serving time for minor offenses, generally misdemeanors with sentences under a year.
Gina
$3,000 crime - 1st offense - 3.5 years x $25,000 yr = $87,500
Melissa
$7,000 crime - 1st offense - 7 years x $25,000 yr. = $175,000
Marcia
$20 crime - Severely mentally ill, homeless prostitute - 2.5 years x $25,000 yr. = $62,500
Cost to Incarcerate
States Sending the Most People to Prison
1. Louisiana: 893 per 100,000. Majority in private prisons. Poverty rate: 20.4% (3rd highest)
2. Mississippi: 717 per 100,00. Poverty rate: 22.6% (Highest)
3. Alabama: 650 per 100,000. Poverty rate: 19.0 (tied with AZ)
4. Oklahoma: 648 per 100,000. 23% in private prisons. Poverty rate: 17.3% (16th highest) .127 females for every 100,000 female residents
5. Texas: 601 per 100,000. Poverty rate: 18.5% (11th highest)
6. Arizona: 583 per 100,000. Poverty rate: 19.0 (tied for 7th highest)
State has among most sentenced females,101 per 100,000 female residents
7. Georgia: 542 per 100,000. Poverty rate: 19.1% (5th highest)
8. Florida: 524 per 100,000. Poverty rate: 17% (17th highest)
9. Missouri: 518 per 100,000. Poverty rate: 15.8% (24th highest)
10. Idaho: 499 per 100,000 residents. Poverty rate: 16.5% (19th highest)