World Possible Justice
Proven technologies and pathways for normalizing the learning environment in corrections
A non-profit born from Corrections
In 2015, Frank Martin was nearing the end of his 20 years time working in Corrections as the Education Administrator for the Oregon Youth Authority (“OYA”). Frank was faced with educating a youth population that stretched up to 25 years old, meaning Frank needed solutions for all levels of education from k-12 to college. Operating with limited budgets, overburdened staff, and sometimes challenging students, Frank knew technology could help solve his problems. Frank’s mission was how to implement technology solutions securely, at a low-cost, and across remote locations with limited IT support, while staying true to the educational goals he had for his students.
While searching out this solution, Frank found World Possible, a nonprofit organization connecting offline learners to the World’s knowledge with operations around the globe focused on delivering free digital “Open Educational Resources” to offline communities. World Possible’s free suite of offline resources were the answer Frank was looking for. After deploying World Possible’s RACHEL througout OYA in 2016, World Possible received a grant for his work (Huffington Post Article), and Frank officially joined the World Possible team to lead the development of a suite education technology solutions suited for Corrections.
Today, World Possible Justice provides not only the technology, but also the guidance to develop the appropriate policy, process and procedure to education technology in Corrections. We are proud to work with you to help deploy meaningful educational opportunities whether your jurisdictions is starting from nothing or looking to take back control of education from a commercial provider. Our layering approach to technology helps organize solutions from easiest to implement (or advocate for internally) to more challenging, however any combination of layers can be used in any sequence.
Reach incarcerated students through creative technology layers that balance risk and need
One-Pager of the Roadmap with Key Questions
Layer 1 -Endless Justice Securbooks - Safe and secure student laptops.
Layer 2 - Offline RACHEL Servers - An offline content hub to deliver content to students.
Layer 3 - Offline LMS Servers and Video Chat - Live instruction with two-way commuincation facilited by admin or facility staff.
Layer 4 - Advanced Networking Concepts - Whitelisted internet accessed by students.
Across a facility, rooms and areas can be designated different layer levels of access. For an outside college or university, one room with Layer 3 access should be sufficient to continue teaching remotely during distance learning protocols.
"Jail laptops provide educational opportunities for inmates" - Jackson Hole News
"The Changing World of Tech in Corrections Education" - Pages 6-8 in CEA-Wisconsin Newsletter, authored by Ben Jones, Education Coordinator, DOC Central Office (WI)
Layer 1 - Lowest Risk and Least Complex - difficult to update with specialized content without adding more Layers
No Internet needed at all. A starting point for building digital education in a facility.
Endless Justice Securebooks ($480) pre-loaded with educational content and software. Pair with USB Securedocks ($150) to manage devices. One USB dock per 5 computers is usually sufficient.
New content delivery: Requires new content to be uploaded to each individual computer via a USB stick. A plethora of free content and software from OER2Go.org is pre-loaded on our Endless Justice operating system and Jurisdictions can also bundle content in advance for us to pre-install content for students to access offline. However, updates to those packages are time consuming and recommended no more than once-a-year.
While many facilities want to move to Layer 2 and Layer 3 access, there will always be parts of the facility (usually living units and cells) that should be Layer 1 only. Starting with Layer 1 helps build internal process and procedures for managing devices inside.
"Teacher of the Year Uses Technology to Open Pathways" - Pages 1-3 in CEA Wisconsin Newsletter March / April 2018
"RACHEL within DOC: Beyond the Classroom at Stanley Correctional Institution ... " - Page 4 in CEA Wisconsin Newsletter March / April 2018
Layer 2 - Low Risk and Not Complex - requires updates of RACHEL device
Internet must be available somewhere in the facility for RACHEL to connect to on a weekly or monthly basis. Manual task of moving the physical RACHEL back and forth between an internet connection and the classroom or living unit.
Builds on Securebooks: Add a RACHEL-Plus ($750) server (basically a wireless hard drive for sharing content to students) and wireless Securedocks ($150). The RACHEL-Plus server can be temporarily connected to the internet to get new teacher provided content or new content can be brought directly to RACHEL-Plus from a laptop, USB, or tablet. Three wireless docks per one RACHEL-Plus is usually sufficient.
New content delivery: Teachers use home internet to upload content to Kolibri Studio, RACHEL is moved to an internet connection temporarilty to download that new content from Kolibri Studio and then RACHEL is brought back into the facility or room where Securebooks connect to RACHEL and sync the new content. This sync is "one-way" with new content going from teachers online to students offline.
If you already have devices (tablets, thin-clients, chromebooks, etc.) you need to use, we do recommend adding a RACHEL-Plus server to enhance the open educational content options to your students offline. RACHEL-Plus comes preloaded with the world's leading free educational content offline, no internet needed, and is in use in hundreds of facilities around the county.
Canvas Box - Two-Way Content Transfers & Video Board - For Remote Teaching
Layer 3 - Introducing Some Risk but Huge Benefits for Remote Instruction
Internet must be available in the same room students are in, however students do not connect to the Internet, only to RACHEL-Pro which stays offline always.
Builds on Securebooks and RACHEL: Add an Internet connection in the room (students will not be given access) that staff can access. This allows for remote instruction via WebEx, Zoom, etc.
Also creates an option to add RACHEL-Pro ($5,000) for offline Canvas or Moodle with teacher computers ($1,000) for two way content-syncing, real-time while connected, offline. Would also require adding wireless docks to each desk students sit at with Securebooks.
New content delivery: Professors, teachers, or volunteers can deliver live instruction via video conference and upload new content to RACHEL-Pro in realtime. This content sync can be "two-way" where teachers upload new content to RACHEL-Pro and can receive content and messages from students through Canvas or Moodle. Only the most basic functions of Canvas and Moodle will work and courses must be custom built to include all needed resources (no outside links).
Filtered Student Internet Access (White Lists)
Exceptionally High Risk and Generally Not Necessary Except in One-Off Cases
Builds on Layers 1 through 3: In prisons, 99% of the time we bring in the resources individuals need as opposed to individuals going out into the community. Digital content should be thought of the same way. The vast majority of tasks can be accomplished without providing students internet access.
When you choose to provide students internet access, you are giving them a car, and asking them to only drive certain places. You can only do so much to prevent access other places. Internet access should be highly supervised and only used when absolutely necessary.
A breach in internet access can set programs back years.
With properly functioning layers 1 through 3, layer 4 access would be reserved for students you might otherwise send into the community for college or community based facilities. It may also be used to provide extremely locked down access to sites such as FAFSA.gov or other singularly secure sites (but this is a slippery slope).
Questions?
Contact info@worldpossible.org to get more information on the project