I am thinking of applying to teach general education/high school subjects at one of the California prisons, but I'm rather apprehensive about the Bridge Program, which I understand is now their educational program.

I'd really like to get people's opinions on this program. It sounds like a rather difficult procedure for a teacher as well as a student.

Thanks to anyone who responds.

When my man was in Donovan State Prison, he started the bridging program about 1 week after arrival. As he stated it was a set of assignments for which you self evaluate your life skills. He had to do assignments as to why and what landed him in prison, the cause and effect. What he planned to do to better himself while incarcerated. And what changes he would need to make to have a succesful return to society.

It's all pre-packaged material sent for them to complete in their cells. The educators would look over their work to see if they made an effort and then send them the next series of assignments.

He only participated for 3 months and that was it!

So frmm what he told me, it did not sound like the bridging program invovled a lot of one on one teaching. California is currently recruiting educators in various prisons and here is a link to those open positions
http://www.corr.ca.gov/Personnel/default.asp

Richard