Correctional Facilities: A Guide for Partnerships

Which prisons and jails have hosted Inside-Out Courses?

Inside-Out instructors have taught in more than 200 correctional facilities around the world. The Inside-Out Center endeavors to keep the list and maps current on the Corrections page on the main website. If you are teaching or have taught in a correctional facility not listed on the website, please send an email with the information to Sayge Martin at i.o.news@temple.edu. 

What are the best tips and strategies for working with correctional facilities?

This Stakeholder table.doc is a helpful thinking about Inside-Out partnerships. Below is a brief overview of tips and strategies, but more detailed information can be found on pages 27-41 of the Instructor's Manual 2018 that was distributed during the training, which includes suggestions for building support for Inside-Out, typical rules of correctional institutions (procedures for entering, things to bring/not bring into a facility, dress, behavior), and logistical issues (clearance checks, denials of access, scheduling, space, supplies/course materials, etc.).

New Inside-Out instructors vary widely in their knowledge of and experience with correctional facilities. This basic tutorial may be helpful: Prison & Jails 101.

What are tips for developing a good working relationship with correctional administrators?

Correctional officials are primarily concerned with care (providing food, housing, etc.), custody (making sure no one escapes), and control (enforcing good behavior and preventing violence).  Therefore, it is very important that Inside-Out instructors...

  • Be trustworthy

  • Be consistent

  • Follow the rules of the facility

  • Be transparent in their practices

What do correctional administrators cite as the benefits of hosting Inside-Out courses?

  • Inside-Out courses do not cost the correctional facility money, i.e. free programming.

  • Inside-Out courses create opportunities inside to participate in positive educational programs.

  • The experience can create connections for inside students to the outside and help to provide a pathway to returning to society.

  • The Inside-Out Center is collecting endorsement quotes and letters from correctional officials. Over time, they will be added to this page:  What are corrections officials saying about Inside-Out? New submissions may be sent to Lori Pompa at lori.pompa@temple.edu. 

What about safety concerns? 

  • No-Contact Policy: Students in Inside-Out courses are only permitted to use first names. Inside-Out prohibits contact between inside and outside students beyond the classroom. 

  • Since the inception of the program, Inside-Out has hosted hundreds of courses all over the world without any major safety issues or concerns.  

Memoranda of Understanding

When developing a working relationship between a university/college and a correctional facility, many instructors develop a memorandum of understanding. This document outlines the rules, procedures, and expectations for all participants. State coordinators will sometimes create an MOU template for anyone working in one of their state facilities. Here are some examples below:

MOU Examples

Need Help Reaching Out to a New Correctional Facility? 

There are a couple of ways that instructors can get assistance.

  • Peer Mentors: There are also a number of experienced instructors, including state and regional coordinators, who may be helpful in cultivating relationships with correctional facilities. Choose from peer mentors who may have expertise in county jails, state prisons, or federal facilities. (Coming soon.)