Inmate Volunteers

Michael Santos

In recent years, prison administrators have made increasing use of inmate volunteers to run a range of inmate programs. By using prisoners to staff these activities, prisons are able to continue offering courses and programs that they would otherwise be unable to provide due to budgetary problems and overcrowding. Prison education departments frequently make use of inmate volunteers. Since the demise of Pell grants, prison education departments have had their budgets severely reduced. As a result, they often turn to prisoners with advanced skills to volunteer as tutors. Across the country, prisoners instruct fellow inmates in reading, writing, and math, as well as in English as a second language. Some inmates hold advanced degrees and offer courses in business, history, creative writing, and so on. Recreation departments also frequently rely on inmate volunteers to support many of the athletic programs. Prisoners volunteer to organize teams, to serve as referees and ...

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