Life After Prison: Interview With Robin, Student And Tutwiler Inmate

Dan Carsen | June 24, 2014

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Students in an office information systems class at J.F. Ingram State Technical College's Tutwiler prison campus. Technically this is school property, but the building is inside the security perimeter. From the outside it's indistinguishable from the rest of the prison, but inside, the atmosphere of what the inmates call "the trade school" is more hopeful.

Dan Carsen, WBHM

Wetumpka, Ala. — All this week, WBHM explores challenges people face after being released from Alabama’s prisons. One barrier is a lack of skills. But some educators are working to smooth that transition long before the inmates get out: J.F. Ingram State Technical College has a new program at Tutwiler Prison that teaches vocations and life skills, including getting along with others, with the goal of reducing recidivism.

WBHM’s Dan Carsen sat in on those classes, the subject of this 25-minute radio documentary. He later caught up with a student — an inmate named Robin. We agreed not to use last names, but Dan asked her about her plans once she’s out and about why she’s in prison:

Listen to WBHM’s Life After Prison Series:

Part One – Ex-offenders Face Many Challenges When Reentering Society

Part Two – Interview With Robin, Life-Skills Student And Tutwiler Prison Inmate

Part Three – Ex-felons Often Struggle to Find a Job

Part Four – How Prison Shaped a Woman’s Career Path

Part Five – Victims Face Tough Road Too