ABC Literacy Resources is a non-profit all volunteer organization located in the Princeton, N.J. area. It specializes in helping adults with learning disabilities. Our approach is to develop and implement effective, research-based multi-sensory language programs for adults with learning disabilities/dyslexia.
A special emphasis has been placed on supporting and encouraging prison literacy programs. We offer professional development in multisensory teaching strategies to support inmate tutors as they teach other inmates to read.
Contact Us
The ABC Literacy Resources would like to hear from you with your comments about our program, our Web site, your experiences working with literacy and prison programs plus any questions and comments you may have. We appreciate all tips and advice you might want to share with us. Address your email to . An ABC Literacy Resources volunteer will respond to your email.
Information
The need for literacy education in New Jersey’s Prisons
Literacy education will be given short shrift unless policy makers make literacy a priority feature of rehabilitative programming in our prisons. The public policy arguments for doing this are compelling: Prisoners who gain literacy have the tools to enable them to work for a GED and, if they are motivated, for college level education. Studies show that educational opportunities in prison reduce recidivism rates: The more education a prisoner receives, the less likely is that the prisoner will reoffend. Programs like the L.I.F.E. program are not just good policy for the life inside. They are good public policy because they give prisoners the tools to make better choices on the outside.
In short, literacy education in our prisons should be a priority. The issues that led NJSP to discontinue the L.I.F.E. program should be examined and addressed intelligently so that the L.I.F.E. program or similar programs relying on the skills of prisoners can be established in our prisons.
About L.I.F.E.
About the “Learning is for Everyone” (L.I.F.E.) program, founded at New Jersey State Prison in 1985 by William Burke
Poetry Class
Poems written by L.I.F.E. Tutors for the ABC Literacy Introduction to Poetry Class, Spring/Summer 2003
Resources
Resources on criminal justice reform and prison education initiatives