Ultimately, this is the idea - we want these inmates to have a decent chance at landing some kind of job when they are released, in the hopes that this will reduce their likelihood to be put back in prison, and based on statistics gathered this does seem to be the case.

In addition, we were told (rightfully so, I think) not to necessarily expect anything for free. We feel that by keeping the presence of the equipment in the actual classroom as minimally invasive as possible, we can give inmates a high quality education as if they were in class without having to bring in professors or rely on charity. As some have suggested it may eventually be possible to pre-record these classes, so that it is not necessary to stream each and every one - this depends on what the professor and college are comfortable with and what classes are offered when (we won't have copies of lectures until a class has been taught).

Lenore Cowen said:

Mark, that's a great idea, but in addition to learning material, one also goes to college to get the degree; the piece of paper that proves you took the classes. Without the degree many job opportunities are closed, even if you did the equivelant work and have the equivalent knowledge. Unfair, but in my experience, true. Perhaps there would be some way to work with UCSC to get college credit for courses learned in this fashion? And with enough credits, earn an acredited college degree, and/or maybe an opportunity to transfer in with undergraduate sophmore or junior standing after release with enough credits?

Mark Grimes said:

Rather than taking on debt thru student loans could you find online volunteers to teach college (or guide) courses using materials from here?

http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/index. htm