[Sly Fox]

From the fishwrap ...

Kaine would expand LU prisoner-education program

By Ray Reed
Published: April 15, 2008

One of Gov. Timothy M. Kaine’s amendments to the state budget would expand a prisoner-education program suggested by Liberty University.

Kaine’s change to the budget bill would allow every college in the state to sponsor inside-the-prison classrooms equipped with computers.

When the General Assembly approved the budget bill, it contained language sponsored by Del. Kathy Byron, R-Campbell County, that specified only Liberty University would offer the program, and only at the new Green Run Correctional Center near Chatham.

Kaine’s amendment would extend the program statewide, to about 30 correctional centers and all public and private colleges.

“We’re not afraid of the competition,” said Ronald Godwin, executive vice president of Liberty University. “We face that competition in the open market, and have for years.”

Click Here for Full Story

[matshark]

I think its good to try and help prisoners finish their education.

As far as the 'competition' Godwin is talking about, Liberty is apparently paying for it out of its own pocket. Not sure which other colleges would want to try and 'compete' with that. Who can give the most money away?

[whmatthews]

If the prisoners will hear the gospel, it's well worth the money.

[matshark]

its not about the gospel. they already have prison ministries. its about the education. (honestly, Kaine isn't going to write into law something about prisoners and religion... are you kidding me? if the Left had their way, there would be no religion but atheism)

its about education, which is why LU is going to PAY to set up classrooms, and then PAY to provide the equipment and then NOT be paid by the state for their efforts. and no college that i know is going to want to 'compete' with that. the only way to win is to give more money away than the other universities... what a prize. sounds more like a charity or non-profit type thing to me, but since liberty is already a non-profit institution, im not sure what's in it for them unless its the hope that the state (or the prisoners through the state) eventually pay for it.

[SuperJon]

Dude, you're an absolute idiot if you don't think this isn't about spreading the Gospel. When has Liberty ever done anything that wasn't about that?

[whmatthews]

Exactly. It's not just any education, it's a Christian education. That's what's special about it being in prison - this is a prison ministry.

[matshark]

Dude, you're an absolute idiot if you don't think this isn't about spreading the Gospel. When has Liberty ever done anything that wasn't about that?

i think i can come up with quite a few things...lol

the point is that there are MUCH easier ways to spread the gospel in prison than to start up an education system that's open to competition... my point is that if spreading the gospel in prison is the goal, the price of just one computer will buy quite a few bibles.

[LUconn]

Man, I'm a sucker for shelling out all this caysh (that I'm still paying off) when I just could have robbed a liquor store or something.

[mrmacphisto]

Man, I'm a sucker for shelling out all this caysh (that I'm still paying off) when I just could have robbed a liquor store or something.

If memory serves, you wouldn't be the first LU student to try that.

[matshark]

Man, I'm a sucker for shelling out all this caysh (that I'm still paying off) when I just could have robbed a liquor store or something.

If memory serves, you wouldn't be the first LU student to try that.

how correct you would be mac... i do remember that incident... WOW that was a long time ago...lol

[thepostman]

2-3 years ago is a long time ago??? who knew!!??

[scuzdriver]

Man, I'm a sucker for shelling out all this caysh (that I'm still paying off) when I just could have robbed a liquor store or something.

Agreed! You poor suckers are paying what, 25 large to get educated? Meanwhile, back at the prison farm, Bubba is gettin 3 squares, a roof over his head, all the free lovin he can take (gag!) and an education! Who says crime doesn't pay? This stuff makes me want to puke!

[Cider Jim]

Scuz, you forgot free clothes, cable TV, & AC.

[scuzdriver]

Scuz, you forgot free clothes, cable TV, & AC.

oops.

[vastrightwinger]

I work for a sheriff's office here in florida and we also oversee the jail system for inmates with sentences under one year and or awaiting trial. They do have it pretty nice considering the circumstances. We just signed a contract with a company to provide on demand movies for the inmates most of which have not even left the theaters yet and I have not even seen. I value my freedom too much but I think they have it better than they deserve, at least down here they do!

[Cider Jim]

Here's to hoping that at least they aren't watching them in High Def.

[4everfsu]

Don't forget free gym membership

[matshark]

2-3 years ago is a long time ago??? who knew!!??

no no... the incident im referring to was at least like 8 years ago...

and as far as prisoners go, i think everything should be done to make prison the most miserable experience o their lives so that they dont want to go back. they should take big rocks and make small rocks, small rocks and make gravel, and then move it from here, to there, and then back again when they are done.

the maricopa county AZ sheriff's dept. has it right. pink jumpsuits in the prison, manual labor. lowest recidivism rates in the country.

this free crap for prisoners makes me sick. they have it better than a lot of honest people who work long hours. and guess whos paying for it? the honest people working long hours. almost enough to make a poor honest hard working person who can't seem to get ahead want to turn to a life of crime... hmmm....

[Sly Fox]

An update from the fishwrap ...

Liberty University’s prison program gets boost

By Ray Reed
Published: April 23, 2008

RICHMOND — Liberty University’s proposal to help prison inmates earn college credits got a boost Wednesday when the House of Delegates rejected Gov. Timothy M. Kaine’s amendment that would have expanded the plan to other colleges.

The House rejected Kaine’s amendment on a 56-41 vote at the urging of Del. Kathy Byron, R-Campbell County.

The action, which could lead to a computer-equipped classroom at a correctional center near Chatham, meant “at least one pilot program gets started, and the private sector is funding it,” Byron said.

Click Here for Full Story

[Sly Fox]

Here are some follow-ups ...

Liberty University program promotes learning at Chatham prison


Daniel Riase and Joel Miller Jr. study for a test in philosophy recently in a class they are taking through Liberty University while incarcerated at Green Rock Correctional Center.

By Christa Desrets
Media General News Service
Published: November 22, 2008

A full-time distance learning student at Liberty University, Eric Snow pursues a degree in psychology — from prison.

As one of 29 students in a pilot LU program, he uses a combination of books, printouts and computer access to complete assignments ranging from reading to research papers.

The inmates have classes four times a week, for three hours at a time.

From laptop computers at Green Rock Correctional Center near Chatham, they connect directly to coursework on secure LU servers in Lynchburg.

Click Here for Full Story

And from the local fishwrap ...

Legislators suprised inmates get state grants for LU program

By Ray Reed and Christa Desrets
Published: November 22, 2008

Some state prison inmates enrolled in classes taught by Liberty University at a correctional facility in Chatham qualify for state tuition grants.

Several state legislators said they didn’t know about that when they voted to set up the pilot program.

About 20 full-time students in the program at Green Rock Correctional Center pay for the classes with the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant, said Gary Phillips, LU’s director of prison outreach.

Click Here for Full Story

[ALUmnus]

They look like such nice, happy fellows.

[Ed Dantes]

I work for a sheriff's office here in florida and we also oversee the jail system for inmates with sentences under one year and or awaiting trial. They do have it pretty nice considering the circumstances. We just signed a contract with a company to provide on demand movies for the inmates most of which have not even left the theaters yet and I have not even seen. I value my freedom too much but I think they have it better than they deserve, at least down here they do!

Wow, if it weren't for the gang rapes, I'd say sign me up!

[Hold My Own]

Well...if you receive a govt grant (which anyone who does this would hope for) then it could mean big money...there is quite a bit of money that can come from a program like this, hence why other schools will now be doing it.