Sociology students learn from the insiders as part of nationwide exchange program

Each semester, undergraduate students from UM-Dearborn apply to participate in a sociology class held in a classroom at Ryan Correctional Facility in Detroit, with persons who are incarcerated as their classmates; as their peers.

The class is part of a nationwide initiative called the Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program, in which students from inside and outside the prison walls examine the complex issues surrounding the U.S. criminal justice system through the "prism of prison."

"Theory… doesn't tell you how policies are carried out through people who have lived it," says Lora Bex Lempert, professor of sociology at UM-Dearborn, who teaches the Inside-Out Program. "That's part of what the outside students get from the inside students."

Current University student Sarah Bazetta loves the uniqueness of the class. She truly enjoys studying the criminal justice system from behind the prison walls with insiders.

Shahad Atiya, a recent University graduate and former Student Government president, describes her experience in the program as life-changing. "The program was positive," says Atiya. "It's not critical of the system but lets us re-examine it and how we re-incorporate insiders into society."

Lempert says one of the most important results is the transformation of the two groups that occurs over the course of the semester. "Initially the students think they're disparate," says Lempert. "But, in reality, the areas of commonality between the students far outweigh their statuses as inside or outside students."

Atiya and Bazetta agree with Lempert that working with inside students as equals is essential to the success of the program. "By the end of the program, everyone becomes a student," says Atiya. "There are no false divisions between us."

All students have their own reasons for applying to the program. For Paul Weiland, former inside student, initially it was to impress the Parole Board. Once accepted, Weiland saw the program as an opportunity to move beyond his prison-earned G.E.D. and pursue a college education.

"Inside-Out ignited that fire I'd had in me the whole time," says Weiland. "At that point in my sentence, I was changing the way I think. And, my experience in the program made me realize I can be proactive in school. I realized the potential in me."

Weiland knows the self-confidence he gained in the program will continue to serve him throughout his life, especially as he completes his undergraduate studies at UM-Dearborn, and as he continues to pursue other positive challenge in his life.

Last week, UM-Dearborn hosted the first-ever National Regional Training for Inside Out instructors, as shown in the above photo. Professors gathered from all over the country, but primarily the Great Lakes region, to be trained in the pedagogy, ethics and implementation of Inside Out classes.  The instructors participated in a rigorous week-long training on campus that also included 2.5 days at Ryan Correctional Facility with former Inside Out students.