Inmates decry plans to suspend training

John Blanchard is a convicted murderer, but he doesn't think that should stand in the way of college programs provided behind bars.

Blanchard, 63, got a bachelor of science degree in psychology through a Utah State University distance learning program, graduating in 2005.

He and others who have either finished or are working on getting undergraduate degrees while in prison are concerned about USU's plans to suspend the program after the summer semester due to financial problems.

It currently has a deficit of $600,000.

"We're not ending it, we're just suspending until we can get some more funding," said Vince Lafferty, executive director for concurrent education at USU.

Program officials hope the state Legislature will take note and offer more money, and there also is talk of seeking help from private sources. Among other things, Lafferty said the high cost of buying textbooks (which inmates must return) is helping to fuel the shortfall.

The program offers interactive satellite TV classes to inmates pursuing undergraduate degrees while in prison. They each pay $100 a semester for up to 12 credits. There currently are 166 participants.

In Blanchard's view, cutting the prison college program is a big mistake, even though he understands how many citizens might object to financing college degrees for convicted criminals, himself included.

"I would have to say that most people serving time here are going to be released," Blanchard said in a telephone interview. "It's incumbent for all of us that if they are to be released, that they be in better shape than they arrived so they can be good next-door neighbors.

"They are going to be somebody's next-door neighbor," he said.

Blanchard said he read that seven of 10 prisoners arrive at prison without a high school diploma. Without any training, prisoners who leave will have little to offer society.

"I think it's all about education," he said.

That feeling is shared by another Utah prisoner, James Bradley, 39, who declined to state the crime for which he was convicted. He has graduated from a Salt Lake community building trades program and currently is a USU senior finishing an undergraduate degree in business with minors in math and accounting.

"I am currently prepared to take the general contractor's test. The other degree will help me start my own business and hopefully employ others," he said.

He anticipates he will be released in 48 months.