PRISON BRAI LLE PROGRAMS - APH

Summer 2003

PROGRAMS

PRISONBRAILLE

PrisonBrailleProgram

PrisonBrailleProgram

• Key Challenges

• Inmate Transcriber Profile

• Rehabilitative Value

• Employment After Prison

• Joining the APH Prison Braille Network

Summer 2003

Prison Braille Programs · Page 2

There is a critical shortage of braille transcribers

across the U.S. today. Federal law mandates that

all students have access to appropriate

educational materials. However, for students who

are blind this is not always possible. The time

and expense involved in braille production, the

level of expertise needed to produce quality

textbooks, and the transcriber shortage combine

to create serious challenges for braille suppliers.

A concerted nationwide effort is being made

throughout the field of blindness to ensure

that blind students receive their textbooks

at the same time as their sighted peers.

Prison braille programs are offering part

of the solution through the creation of

unique partnerships between corrections

facilities and braille providers.

We are just beginning to learn about prison

braille programs across the country, and this

report shares initial information gathered. It

provides a “snapshot” of programs identified

through an APH survey conducted in 2002, and

is no doubt incomplete. If you know of braille

production programs in corrections facilities that

are not included in this report, please contact us

with that information. Perhaps this report will be

the first chapter of many.

I

1Education Reduces Crime, Three State Recidivism Study – Executive Summary, Correctional Education Association (CEA) and Management& Training Corporation Institute (MTCI) (February 2003). Complete study can be accessed at www.ceanational.org.

Nancy LacewellDirector of Government and Community AffairsAmerican Printing House for the Blind

nmates across the country are learning

to produce braille materials for people

who are blind.

This unique educational and training opportunity

provides inmates with job skills and problem-

solving experience, preparing them for useful

employment upon reentry into society. Their time

is spent productively, they give back to society for

the crimes they have committed, and

opportunities for future employment are created

that many never imagined possible. Research

indicates that simply because the inmates are

involved in education and vocational training

while incarcerated, the likelihood that they will

return to prison once released is reduced.1

Most importantly, inmates are providing quality

braille materials for people who need them —

particularly for students who are blind.


t is estimated that there are about10 million blind and visually impairedpeople in the United States today, and

this number is growing. Medical advancesat both ends of the age spectrum haveinadvertently resulted in an increasedincidence of blindness. Premature babies arebeing saved but can face lifelong disabilities,including visual impairments. Older adultsare living longer and many developdegenerative eye diseases.

According to a 2002 report by PreventBlindness America and the National EyeInstitute of the National Institutes for Health,many more Americans are facing blindnesstoday than ever before. The number of blindpeople in the U.S. is expected to double overthe next 30 years as the baby boomergeneration ages.2

The U.S. Department of Education currentlyserves approximately 94,000 blind andvisually impaired students (K-12) across thecountry through special education programs.In 2002, the American Printing House for theBlind (APH) registered 57,148 blind orvisually impaired students eligible to receiveadapted educational materials through theAPH Federal Quota Program.

Unfortunately, current braille productioncapability in the U.S. is unable to keep pacewith the increasing demand for braille.Historically, the majority of brailletranscription has been provided byvolunteers — usually parents of blind

children. This generation of volunteers isquickly disappearing.

There has also been a significant shift in theeducational environment of blind studentsover the past few decades. While the vastmajority of blind students were educated inresidential schools prior to the 1960s, theinclusion of students with disabilities in theregular classroom has reversed this trend.Today, about 90% of blind students areeducated in their local schools.

Since the number of blind and visuallyimpaired students attending localschools has increased significantlyin recent years, there is a growingdemand for more braille textbooktitles in all subjects.

I

continued on page 4

Increasing Need for Braille

2“Vision Problems in the U.S.: Prevalence of Adult Vision Impairment and Age-Related Eye Disease in America,” Prevent Blindness America andthe National Eye Institute (2002). Access through www.preventblindness.org and www.nei.nih.gov/eyedata.


Combining these demographics with thepractice of selecting textbooks at the locallevel means that it is increasingly difficult toprovide every blind child with every textbookhe or she needs at the same time as his orher sighted peers. It is a federal mandate thatevery child have access to educationalmaterials needed, as established by the NoChild Left Behind Act passed by Congress in2001 and signed by President Bush inJanuary 2002.

According to a national survey conducted bythe American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)in 20003, there is a critical shortage of brailletextbook transcribers across the UnitedStates. The survey indicated that 375additional transcribers were needed in 2000to meet the need for braille textbooks for

blind students. Further, the survey estimatesthat by 2005, 750 more transcribers will beneeded, and by 2010 the need jumps to over1,000 additional braille transcribers.

One of the key environments in which theincreasing need for braille is being met is inprisons across the country where brailletranscriber training programs are beingestablished. Learning braille codes andformats to become a proficient transcribertakes considerable time and focused effort —ingredients that are readily available in theprison setting. Inmates in prison brailleprograms receive educational and vocationaltraining, and are able to give back to thecommunity by producing braille materials forpeople who are blind. Ultimately, it is thosewho are blind — particularly students —who benefit from the dedicated work ofinmates learning and producing braille.

According to a survey conducted by theAmerican Printing House for the Blindin 20024, there are currently 23 braille

production programs operating incorrectional facilities across the UnitedStates. Although the programs sharecommon goals, each reflects its own uniquecharacteristics based on the security level,population served, and managementpriorities of the prison in which it is housed.Three (3) of the facilities are under federaljurisdiction, and 20 are state-operated. Four(4) are female facilities and 19 are male.

3Survey on the Training and Availability of Braille Transcribers, American foundation for the blind (AFB) Textbook and Instructional MaterialsSolutions Forum (2000). Access through the AFB website: www.afb.org.

4Survey on Prison Braille Programs Across the U.S., American Printing House for the Blind, Public Affairs Department N. Lacewell and R. Snider(2002).

Increasing Need for Braillecontinued from page 3

More than 1,200 inmates have participated inbraille programs across the U.S. since thefirst program began in 1962. Today there areabout 365 inmates working in the 23 activeprograms. Individual programs have as fewas 3 inmates and as many as 40, with theaverage being about 12.

The oldest known prison braille program inthe U.S. is the Michigan Braille TranscriptionFund (MBTF), begun in 1962 with oneinmate learning braille in his cell. That

Prison Braille Programs Today

continued on next page

program is now one of the largest in thecountry, employing 35 men and producingover 2,000 braille titles each year. Anincorporated 501(c)(3) non-profitcorporation, MBTF occupies its own buildingon the grounds of the Cotton CorrectionalFacility in Jackson, Michigan.

ManagementHow individual braille programs wereinitiated and under what auspices theyoperate has a tremendous impact on thegoals of each program. Of the 23 programscurrently operating, 8 are programs operatedsolely by prison educational or vocationaltraining departments. These programs haveas primary goals educating inmates andproviding them with necessary job skills.Braille production is generally considered acommunity service, and there is eitherminimal or no charge to the braillecustomers. Funding is provided primarilythrough government programs and privatesector contributions.

Six (6) of the 23 programs are operatedsolely by correctional industries and, assuch, are revenue producing businesses.While it is important to these programs thatinmates gain educational and job trainingskills, it is also important that the programsgenerate enough income to at least becomeself-supporting. Run as small businesses,correctional industry braille programsestablish fee structures and billing cycles.They are driven to produce and distribute asmuch quality braille as possible.

Prison educational/vocational programs andcorrections industries work in partnership tooperate 2 of the 23 braille productionfacilities. Two (2) other programs haveevolved into 501(c)(3) non-profitcorporations operating within prison walls.

Although these non-profit organizations aresubject to all prison rules and regulationsand they utilize prison manpower, theyoperate independently. They are eligible toapply for and receive grants to coverprogram expenses, including the purchase ofequipment and supplies.

The remaining programs are operated by acombination of “other” entities — statedepartments of corrections and education,state departments for the blind, instructionalmaterials resource centers, school districts,residential schools for the blind, andgovernment “special services” programs.

FinancesPrison braille programs are financed in awide variety of ways. The Federal Bureau ofPrisons, state departments of corrections,and prison training and education funds areutilized in some cases, while private sectorcontributions and public and private grantsare used in others. In some cases equipmentand supplies are donated and income isgenerated through sales. Most programs areoperated through a combination of several ofthese funding sources.

Pricing structures vary according to theextent of services provided, the difficulty ofthe braille produced, and the qualificationsof the transcribers. For example, textbooksthat are primarily literary braille areconsiderably less complicated and timeconsuming than textbooks that contain manyvisuals (photographs, graphs, maps…). Theconcepts in these visual representationsmust be conveyed in a non-visual format forblind students. Before braille transcriptionbegins, extensive time is spent editing —identifying the information presented in eachvisual and determining the best way toconvey the same message to blind students.


continued on page 6


Prison Braille Program Todaycontinued from page 5

A detailed photograph may best be describedin words, while a map may be reproduced intactile graphics (raised-line drawings). Visualmaps generally convey several concepts atonce (cities, waterways, altitudes, landformations…). It may take a series of tactilemaps to convey the same information, sincecluttered maps are useless to blind students.

There are also many specialized codes inbraille, such as computer and foreignlanguage codes. The Nemeth Braille Code forMathematics and Science Notation is morecomplex than literary braille, requiringadvanced training and certification.

With all this in mind, fees charged rangefrom $.15 to $3.00 per braille page, andpricing can be negotiable. When transcribingprint to braille, 1 page of print can end upbeing between 2 and 8 pages of braille,depending on the size and complexity of theprint copy. When a customer wants printmaterial transcribed into braille, thetranscriber reviews the material in advanceand provides an estimate on the completednumber of braille pages, the length of timetranscription will take, and a final projectcost estimate.

Income is also generated through providingadditional services, such as thermoformingtactile graphics, binding materials, andreproducing documents in large type. Feesare often charged for each additional service(beyond transcription). For example, bindingfees generally run between $2.50 and $3.50per volume.

Production Capacity and CustomersEach week, individual prison brailleprograms across the country producebetween 54 pages and 12,000 pages ofbraille. Tactile graphics pages range from 5per week in a small program, to 650 in thelargest. The total number of braille andtactile graphics pages reportedly produced inprison programs during 2001 was over 5million, ranging from 1,000 to 4,000,000pages, depending on the size of the program.

Primary customers of prison braille programsare local school districts, residential schoolsfor the blind, state agencies (departments forthe blind, departments of education…),libraries, and private businesses.

Through the transcription process, one print bookbecomes many volumes of braille. This printbiology book in the foreground was transcribedinto 68 braille volumes.

ost prison braille programs operate under the auspices of eitherprison educational and vocational training departments, orcorrections industries, or a partnership between these entities.M


ince learning braille can be difficultand time consuming, inmatesselected for the braille programs

must meet certain criteria. Most programsrequire that inmates have at least a highschool education or GED equivalency. It ispreferable that they have been in prisonfor at least 2 years so they have hadadequate time to adjust to the environment.It is important that they have at least 5years left to serve before they are eligiblefor parole, since it can take up to a yearfor inmates to learn literary braille andbegin transcribing.

Inmates must have a clean record for at leastthe previous year (no disciplinary action),and must be recommended for the programby prison staff. Basic computer skills aremandatory in some programs — othersprovide computer training. Desirable inmatecharacteristics also include an eagernessto learn, the desire to help others,self-motivation, and the ability to workwell as a team member.

Some prison braille programs will not acceptany applicants who have committed sexoffenses, since they will be communicatingdirectly with blind children and adults. Therisks, whether real or perceived, areconsidered too high. Work in the brailleprogram is considered a prestigiousplacement in most prisons, and there is oftena long waiting list of inmate applicants.

Once an inmate is accepted into a program,basic knowledge of contracted braille andcompetency in literary braille transcriptionare determined through successfulcompletion of a course of study offeredthrough the Library of Congress, National

SInmate Transcribers

Library Services for the Blind and PhysicallyHandicapped (NLS). The amount of time ittakes to complete the course and submit asample 35-page braille manuscript to NLSfor evaluation varies greatly, but is generallybetween 6 months and 1 year, depending onthe time commitment.

Many programs enlist the help of a brailleteacher, at least in the initial stages ofprogram development. In the absence ofa braille teacher, inmates can take theNLS self-study course on their own or betaught by other inmates who are certifiedand experienced.

To date, over 145 inmates currently workingin braille programs have received NLSLiterary Braille Certification. Of those, 21inmates have received advanced certificationin the Nemeth Braille Code for Mathematicsand Science Notation, thereby qualifyingthem to transcribe complex math and

Inmates learn to transcribe brailleon Perkins braillewriters.

continued on page 13


Whether individual programs areoperated by correctional industries,educational and training programs,

other entities, or some combination of these,they all share common challenges. Some ofthe major challenges identified through theAPH survey and field research include:

• Enlisting support from prison officials

This is one of a few key elements that isabsolutely necessary to develop a successfulprison braille program. In most cases, whenthe administration is not supportive itappears to be due to either a lack ofresources or an understandable lack ofknowledge about blindness, the demand forbraille, and the complexities of brailleproduction. Some consider braille productionto pose security risks. For instance, braillecan be perceived as a “secret code” thatenables inmates to communicate withoutsupervision. Furthermore, most forms oftactile graphics production require the useof sharp tools.

• Securing start-up financial support

To get a braille program up and runningsuccessfully, several key resources areneeded: equipment, supplies, manpower,space, and time. Although manpower, per se,is not an issue in the prison setting, findingqualified, interested inmates can be. Space isat a premium in most prisons as well.Additionally, it can take up to 2 years for aprogram to begin generating revenue. Itwould be ideal if each new program couldidentify enough funding to cover overheadexpenses for 2 years. Since this is oftenimpossible, most programs start “small” withfewer than 5 inmates, and begin to build

once they start charging for services. Theestimated cost of purchasing supplies andequipment to start a five-person brailleprogram is $25,000. In several areas of thecountry, local chapters of the Lions Clubhave provided initial program funding.

• Bringing specialized tools for tactilegraphics into prison

Although braille programs do not necessarilyhave to offer tactile graphics production (itcan be subcontracted to other transcribers),the programs are more likely to attract repeatcustomers if they can provide consistentbraille materials through “one stopshopping.” Text copy and tactile graphicswork hand-in-hand to convey information,and therefore should be produced within thesame braille “shop,” if at all possible.

In some prisons, each inmate transcriber isrequired to produce the tactile graphics for

Key Challenges

Tactile graphics (raised-line drawings) conveyvital information in braille textbooks.



Specialized tools and a variety ofsupplies and materials are used tocreate tactile graphics.

his/her work assignment. In others, ahandful of individuals specialize in tactilegraphics — spending most of their timecreating graphics for the transcribers.

To create effective tactile graphics, tools suchas leather punches, protractors, and tracingwheels are used, in addition to sheets ofaluminum foil, which are used to createmasters for raised-line drawings. Someprison facilities allow use of all the necessarytools in the program, but keep them lockedup and require that inmates check them outeach time they are used. Other prisons willnot allow inmates access to these devices.When that is the case, only simplistic orcomputer driven graphics can be produced— neither of which is the most effective wayof conveying information in every instance.Tactile graphics options are significantlylimited without the use of specialized tools.

• Training inmates

Although it is possible for inmates to learnbasic braille through a self-study course,training in specialized areas (tactile graphics,textbook formatting…) is very important toproduce quality braille. Some of this trainingcan be provided through resource materials,including books, periodicals, and videotapes.Fortunately for many programs, localprofessionals in the field of vision willbecome involved with prison brailleprograms, offering training and support.

• Coordinating prison activities withbraille program assignments andretaining experienced transcribers

The work of each individual in a brailleprogram is critical to its overall success.However, first and foremost, inmates mustcomply with direction given them by prison

officials. When an inmate is pulled out of aprogram — for whatever reason — theprogram suffers. The absence may betemporary (for classes, appointments, ordisciplinary action, for example), or theinmate may be permanently transferred toanother corrections facility.

While temporary absences are inconvenientand cause delays, permanent displacementscan wreak havoc on project deadlines,causing much frustration for bothtranscribers and customers. Although manyof these instances are not preventable,there is a consensus among professionalsworking in prison braille programs that if theprison officials had a better understanding ofand appreciation for the complexities ofbraille production, absences could bereduced and more effort could be made toreinstate trained and certified transcribers(when possible).


I nmates in prison braille programs learnmuch more than braille transcription.Many have not had full-time jobs prior

to joining the braille program, or have notkept them for long if they did. As they arebeginning to learn braille, they are alsodeveloping characteristics and work habitsthey will need once they leave prison —responsibility, self-confidence,accountability, ability to follow instructions,respect for authority, and willingness to workas a member of a team — to name a few.Whether or not they become employed asbraille transcribers once they leave prison,the inmates will have learned much as aresult of their training and developed manyskills and knowledge that can be translatedto other jobs in the workforce, including:

Employment• Proofreading, correcting, accuracy, and

quality control methods• Understanding maps, graphs, and charts• Problem-solving skills• Acquiring knowledge and experience with

computer hardware and software• Establishing and running a small business,

calculating costs, negotiating contracts,dealing with customers

• Gaining basic office management skills• Binding books and producing book covers

Field of Vision• Learning about braille production and

specialized equipment• Gathering knowledge of blindness and how

people who are blind read and learn• Obtaining NLS Literary Braille Certification,

and perhaps advanced certifications forspecialized codes

• Interpreting and describing visualrepresentations and rendering them intouseful tactile graphics

Daily Living and Self-worth• Gaining a sense of community service —

giving back as restitution for crime• Organizing projects, coordinating tasks• Working independently and as a team

member• Learning self-motivation techniques• Acquiring respect for authority• Learning to take direction

Every professional who has worked in aprison braille program and responded to APH

An inmate at Kentucky CorrectionalIndustries (KCI) Braille Servicesnear Louisville talks withprofessionals from across thecountry about the positive changeshe has experienced since becominga braille transcriber. Herclerical and problem-solving skillshave improved enormously, ashas her self-esteem.

Rehabilitative Value

continued next page


requests for information has said that thebraille program changes almost everyparticipating inmate in a very significant andpositive way. There are those who simplyshow up and do the work — for them brailleproduction is just a way to pass the time. Butthe vast majority of inmates make significantprogress in developing a sense of self-worthand an excellent work ethic.

Inmates, themselves, talk about the joy theyget from being able to “give back” to societyby helping people who are braille readers.They are frequently surprised to discovertheir own capabilities, and are grateful to thebraille program for giving their lives in prisonmeaning by offering a wide variety oflearning opportunities.

lthough there are no recidivismrecords kept relative to prison brailleprograms, anecdotal information

indicates that very few – if any – inmateswho participate in these programs return toprison once they are paroled.

Until recently, few parolees have continuedworking as braille transcribers once theytransition to “the outside.” Full-timepositions as braille transcribers have beenrare and may have required relocation –which can conflict with conditions of parole.The majority of transcribers work from theirhomes or offices on a contractual basis, andindividuals recently released from prisonseldom have the financial resources to “setup shop.” Braille transcription is also a jobthat requires focus and concentration. Oncethey are out of the prison setting, formerinmates often find that the rigors of dailylife demand more attention than they hadanticipated, making this type of employmentextremely challenging.

Today, however, parolees have many moreopportunities to use their transcription skills.The need for braille and the demand fortranscribers have clearly increased in recentyears, and this trend will continue. The firstcollege-level course of study in braille

Recidivism and Employment After Prison

A

Transcribers may work from theirhomes or offices.

transcription is now being offered atNorthwest Vista College in San Antonio,Texas (established in 2002). Other effortsare being made across the country torecognize and promote braille transcriptionas a professional career – much likesign language interpretation for thehearing impaired.

One of the goals of the APH Prison BrailleProgram is to help identify potential sourcesof start-up funding for qualified inmatetranscribers once they leave the prisonsetting, and to give them the support theywill need to become successful.


B raille transcribers generally workeither full-time for a brailleproduction company, or on a

contractual basis from their home or office.Since there are very few large brailleproduction companies across the U.S., thevast majority of transcribers provide theirservices through a “cottage industry” setting.

According to the AFB survey, the annualsalary range for full-time, certifiedtranscribers begins at about $18,000 and cango as high as $50,000 (plus benefits). Whenpaid by the hour, fees range between $6 and$18 per hour. Fees commanded by brailletranscribers depend upon their level ofcertification, previous experience, and thedifficulty of the work assignment.

The same criteria hold true for payment ofcontract transcribers. Another factorconsidered in these situations is whether thetranscriber owns the equipment, materials,and paper used, or if the braille contractorprovides these resources. Fees paid perbraille page range from $0.25 to $5. Whenpaid by the hour, outsource transcribersgenerally earn between $8 and $35 per hour.And when paid by the project, fees rangefrom $75 to $5,000.

Contact APH to learn more aboutemployment opportunities for brailletranscribers. (See back cover of this reportfor contact information.)

Transcribing “On The Outside”

H aving gathered this encouraginginformation about the contributionsbeing made by prison braille

programs across the country, APH has ledthe charge in opening lines ofcommunication among facilities. An initialgathering of professionals working withprison programs at the October 2001 APHAnnual Meeting in Louisville resulted in thesurvey cited in this report and theestablishment of a prison braille listserv forsharing information and ideas.

In the coming months, APH staff will workwith this group to develop a national agendadesigned to promote and support theseprograms. Educating corrections

professionals on the need for andcomplexities of braille production, developingtraining materials for inmate transcribers,encouraging quality production standards,and identifying potential sources of fundingare a few of the opportunities APH hopesto pursue.

There is no doubt that prison brailleprograms bring about positive change on allfronts. Inmates learn, develop critical jobskills, and give back to the community forthe wrong they have done. Professionals incorrections and the field of blindness linkarms to utilize their resources and address acritical need across the U.S.

Joining Forces



Most importantly, people who are blind aregaining access to many braille materials thatthey would not have otherwise. This canmake all the difference in the world for ablind adult determined to functionindependently, or for a blind child —not only to become literate, but to havethe opportunity to realize his or herfull potential.

APH Prison Braille ListservProfessionals working to develop and/orimplement braille transcription programs incorrectional facilities are invited to join theAPH prison braille listserv. This “emailinglist” is a communication tool offeringmembers the opportunity to post suggestionsor questions to others with similar interestsand challenges. The listserv is closed(meaning that the manager must approve all

requests to subscribe) and unmoderated (allmessages are sent to all subscribers withoutbeing reviewed or edited).

To subscribe to the listserv:• Send an email to

[email protected].• Leave the subject line blank.• In the body of the email write only:

subscribe [email protected].• Do not send your signature (if you

have one).

Nancy Lacewell, listserv manager, willcontact you to get more informationabout your involvement with prisonbraille programs. Once your request isapproved you will be sent generalinformation about the listserv and“how to…” guidelines.

science textbooks. Although there is a criticalneed for music braille transcription acrossthe country, no inmates to date are known tohave become certified in this area.

Inmates in braille programs work between 22and 40 hours per week, with the averagebeing 32.5 hours. Some facilities offer nocompensation for inmate transcribers. Thosethat compensate generally do so with either

time or money. “Good time,” which is areduction in time served for hours worked,is extremely valuable to inmates. Thosewho receive money are paid in one ofthe following ranges: either $.25 to$2.50 per hour, or $29 to $120 per month.Some inmates are paid by the braillepage produced, with fees ranging from$.16 per literary page to $.23 forspecialized codes.

Inmate Transcriberscontinued from page 7

rison braille programs inthe U.S. today produce over5,000,000 pages of brailleper year.

P


he American Printing House for theBlind (APH) is gaining hands-onexperience with a prison braille

program in the only women’s correctionalfacility in Kentucky. Located near Louisville,the Kentucky Correctional Institution forWomen (KCIW) houses about 700 inmates.This state facility is a combinationmaximum, medium, and minimum security.

Since October 2000, a braille productionfacility has been operating under theauspices of Kentucky Correctional Industries(KCI). KCI Braille Services currently employs12 women, 9 of whom are NLS certifiedliterary braille transcribers. It is preferredthat inmates joining the program have atleast 8 years to parole eligibility or minimumexpiration of sentence, although inmateswith as little as 5 years left to serve havebeen accepted.

KCI Braille Services is a partnership amongKCI, KCIW, and APH, and as such is stronglysupported by the leadership of eachinstitution. Gary Mudd, APH Vice Presidentof Public Affairs, explains that APH initiatedthe program in an effort to deliver morebraille textbooks to blind students. “We wereaware of several prison braille ‘successstories’ across the country and wanted to see

if we could develop a quality programlocally,” says Gary. “The inmates arededicated and hard-working, and theirbraille is excellent — especially forbeginners.”

An inmate talks about the positive impact theprogram has had on her life; “Every day Ilearn something new — about braille, aboutcapabilities I never knew I had, and aboutmeeting deadlines. Producing braille is achallenge, but it is also rewarding. I amhelping students learn, and I am so gratefulto have the opportunity to ‘give back’ tosociety for some of my mistakes.”

KCI Braille Services

T Dave Maynard,KentuckyCorrectionalIndustriesProductionSupervisor at theKentuckyCorrectionInstitution forWomen,oversees KCIBraille Servicesoperations.

echnological advances have made itpossible for people who are blind toaccess more information today thanever before. However, knowledge ofbraille will always be the key to literacyfor people who are blind.

T


ArizonaArizona State Prison

FlorenceArizona State Prison

DouglasArkansasWrightsville State Prison

WrightsvilleCaliforniaFolsom State Prison

FolsomConnecticutCheshire State Prison

CheshireDelawareDelaware Correctional Center

SmyrnaGeorgiaMen’s State Prison at

MilledgevilleMilledgeville

IowaAnamosa State Penitentiary

AnamosaKentuckyKentucky Correctional

Institution for WomenPewee Valley

MassachusettsBay State Correctional Facility

NorfolkMichiganG. Robert Cotton Correctional

FacilityJackson

TEXAS

ARKANSAS

WISCONSIN

KentuckyFederal Medical Center

Lexington

Federal PrisonsMinnesotaFederal Correctional

InstitutionWaseca

South DakotaYankton Federal Prison Camp

Yankton

State Prisons

NebraskaNebraska State Penitentiary

LincolnNevadaSouthern Desert Correctional

CenterIndian Springs

OhioGrafton Correctional

InstitutionGrafton

South CarolinaLeath Correctional Facility

GreenwoodSouth DakotaSouth Dakota State

PenitentiarySioux Falls

TexasTDCJ Mountain View Unit

Braille/Computer RecoveryFacilityGatesville

WashingtonWashington Corrections

Center for WomenGig Harbor

West VirginiaHutttonsville Correctional

CenterHuttonsville

WisconsinOshkosh Correctional

InstitutionOshkosh

Prison Braille Programs Across the Nation

Highlighted states are thosein which prison braille programs currently operate. If you are awareof programs in prisons not listed above, please contact APH.

The American Printing House for the Blind (APH) promotes the independence of blindand visually impaired persons by providing specialized materials, products, and services

needed for education and life. Founded in 1858, APH is the oldest and largest organizationof its kind in the U.S. Since 1879, APH has been designated by the Federal governmentas the source of special educational products for blind students, below college level,

across the country. For more information, visit the APH website at www.aph.org.

For more information, contact

Nancy LacewellDirector of Government and Community Affairs

Rebecca SniderPublic Affairs Administrative Assistant

American Printing House for the Blind1839 Frankfort AvenueLouisville, KY 40206

Phone (502) 895-2405Toll Free (800) 223-1839

Fax (502) 899-2363Email: [email protected]

[email protected]

©2003 American Printing House for the Blind, Inc.

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PRISON BRAI LLE PROGRAMS - APH