Budget cuts have placed more demands on the Prison University Project, according to Amy Roza, the new program director for the popular San Quentin educational activity.
Amy was born and raised in Queens, New York. She earned a Master’s Degree in Teaching from Trinity College in Washington, D.C., and a B.A. in Public Policy and Anthropology from Pomona College in Claremont, Calif. After graduating, Amy was a public school teacher in Washington, D.C., and then Director of Youth and Family Services at the Center for Court Innovation in New York City. She also taught classes with the Prison Education Initiative at Riker’s Island.
After coming to the Bay Area about a year ago, Amy began tutoring Patten University students enrolled in Math 50 classes. She sat down to share her thoughts with the men of San Quentin, and spoke about her new role here.
How has the budget crisis and staff lay-offs affected the Prison University Program to date?
We’re funded by foundations and individual donations, so we’re not directly affected. We’ve been able to offer classes six days a week, so we’re grateful for that. The cuts to other valuable education programs within the prison has placed more demand on our program.
Have you found the administration and custodial staff supportive of your efforts?
I particularly appreciate the efforts of some of the officers we work with regularly. For example, ensuring that all of our students get into their classes on time.
What kind of reaction do you get from people when you tell them you teach college courses in prison?
They have a lot of questions. They love to know what the classes are like. I think the reality of the classes is different than the average persons’ perception of what a prison is like, and what inmates are like. Our classes are like college classes anywhere else.
How are the prison/jail educational programs here and in New York different?
The specific program I worked at in New York, at Riker’s Island, wasn’t accredited. So it was GED and enrichment classes, and the goals of the program were different. I would say that PUP has a much more developed relationship with the San Quentin administration and with the CDCR than the program I taught at Riker’s.
What impact does your program have on those inmates who earn a degree, do you have any data showing that giving inmates an education reduces recidivism?
There is existing research that says prison education reduces recidivism. Giving somebody a quality education increases that person’s options.
What interested you about teaching at San Quentin?
It’s an opportunity to work with a talented, generous faculty with a very committed and eager student body.
What are your aspirations for the future?
I would like to do this job well. There’s a lot to learn.
Have your perceptions about incarcerated men changed since you’ve begun teaching here?
I’ve worked in schools, in other jails, and the court system, so my perceptions haven’t changed in that regard. I definitely have learned a lot from San Quentin staff, students, and volunteers.
Looking at this program as a new-comer, as someone with a fresh pair of eyes, what changes would you like to see happen?
I’m really looking forward to working with our faculty to ensure that all of our courses are as rigorous and compelling as our students deserve.
I asked Amy if there was anything she’d like to add.
I would just like to say “I love this job, and I’m totally grateful for the opportunity.”
