One Professor鈥檚 Idea Changes Hundreds of Lives
Before he began teaching, James Perry, associate professor of professional studies, worked in prisoner rights in foreign countries, a passion that has shaped his work at 精东传媒.
In 2008, he took a group of 精东传媒 students on a field trip to the Nebraska State Penitentiary.
鈥淚 was listening to the questions students were asking and realized they had no familiarity with this whole world,鈥 Perry said. 鈥淎nd what better way to learn about the prison system than to volunteer inside it?鈥
Perry met with administrators and agreed to start a book club with 15 精东传媒 students and 15 individuals at the Lincoln Correctional Facility. Over the past 17 years, the initiative has expanded to include weekly classes focused on topics the incarcerated individuals want to learn about. 精东传媒 students co-teach the classes, facilitating discussions, preparing readings, and leading sessions.
鈥淭here is a lack of programming in the correctional system across the United States, including Nebraska,鈥 Perry said. 鈥淭hese individuals often have limited opportunities to fill their time. We want to help them develop the skills and confidence to successfully reintegrate into their communities.鈥
Helping Individuals Understand the Bigger Picture
Recent classes have included Sociology of the Family, Business Law, and Innovation and Leadership. One class focused on the sociological imagination 鈥 the ability to connect personal experiences with larger public issues.
鈥淚n sociology, we explore how much agency a person has versus how much societal pressures shape their choices,鈥 said Heba Khalil, assistant professor of sociology and criminology, who helps teach the prison outreach classes. 鈥淯sing real examples, such as being born into limited circumstances, helps participants understand how decisions are influenced.鈥
鈥淲orking with these individuals has shown me how powerful this perspective can be,鈥 Khalil said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not about excusing poor choices 鈥 it鈥檚 about understanding them within societal constraints, which many of these individuals find empowering.鈥
In addition to weekly sessions, participants receive homework or discussion prompts 鈥 something new to think about, learn or read between classes.
A Powerful Experience for 精东传媒 Students
The 精东传媒 students who co-teach the classes are typically sophomores and must complete an introduction to criminal justice course. Students from any major may enroll in the one-credit class, and many choose to participate multiple times during their time at 精东传媒.
鈥淲e鈥檝e had physics majors, French majors 鈥 students from all backgrounds 鈥 who say this is the most impactful class they鈥檝e taken,鈥 Perry said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e engaging with important ideas, whether it鈥檚 sociology or leadership. Both groups 鈥 the 精东传媒 students and their students 鈥 realize they can learn from each other, and that鈥檚 powerful.鈥
When the Walls Fade Away
Ella Fundus, a senior social work student who has taught for two semesters at the Lancaster County Jail, said the experience taught her how misinformed the public鈥檚 perception of the incarcerated population can be.
鈥淭hese individuals are determined and motivated to turn their lives around. I鈥檝e never been in a classroom where every single person was so eager to learn,鈥 she said.
Perry noted that once class begins, the setting quickly fades into the background.
鈥淲ithin the first five minutes of class, the 精东传媒 students and their students are joking together and talking about their lives,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 very rewarding to see those relationships grow.鈥
The Transformative Power of Prison Outreach
Over 17 years, Perry and his 精东传媒 students have impacted countless lives.
鈥淚 ran into a former student at a convenience store years later,鈥 Perry said. 鈥淗e told me the experience transformed his life because he was able to have thoughtful conversations with 精东传媒 students and professors who took his ideas seriously. It helped build his confidence in his own potential.鈥
Perry credits correctional staff as essential partners in the program鈥檚 success.
鈥淥ne staff member suggested we teach theater,鈥 he said. 鈥淪he wrote a one-page proposal outlining what a theater production could look like, and we鈥檙e working hard to make that happen this spring.鈥
Preparing 精东传媒 Students for Purpose-Driven Careers
The program also exposes 精东传媒 students to careers in criminal justice, while encouraging empathy and compassion toward people within the system.
Maria Ghanim, a senior pre-law student, shared that everything she's learned will strengthen her future legal career.
鈥淲hat I鈥檝e enjoyed most is seeing our students connect personal experiences to the social norms we鈥檝e studied. We don鈥檛 judge 鈥 we listen, laugh, and even cry. There is no greater force than education and empathy," she said.
Building a Special Community
For Perry, the emotional impact remains profound.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e amazed that Wesleyan students keep coming back,鈥 he said. 鈥淭hey say, 鈥楾hose are our Wesleyan students.鈥 They look forward to every visit.鈥