Hilderbrand Pelzer III's book is "strongly recommended for those in charge of education of imprisoned youth" and called "a guide" for those facing educational challenges.
- Gain insight into the prison side of the school-to-prison pipeline.
- Learn about an under-recognized aspect of public education that is growing in importance––––correctional education.
- Discover successful solutions that are replicable in schools everywhere with challenging learning environments
Advocates Say Schools in Juvenile Detention Facilities are Failing Kids
"Kids are in a jail cell all day long for months and months . . . They're entitled to receive an education but no one has worked out how to provide that education," states Senator Evie Hudak, D-Westminster, Colorado.
"Learning can be difficult under the best of circumstances. But for those young people inside the nation's youth detention centers, the barriers to learning can be enormous indeed." Kaukab Jhumra Smith, Juvenile Justice Information Exchange
"Many researchers and advocates agree that students in the juvenile justice system often do not have access to quality academic instruction and programming while they are in confinement." The Children's Defense Fund
"After a long, frustrating wait for action on any juvenile justice-related legislation, the pending reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act – now known as No Child Left Behind – offers advocates a chance to improve the plight of youth who are incarcerated." - Youth Today
"Kids are in a jail cell all day long for months and months . . . They're entitled to receive an education but no one has worked out how to provide that education," states Senator Evie Hudak, D-Westminster, Colorado.
"Learning can be difficult under the best of circumstances. But for those young people inside the nation's youth detention centers, the barriers to learning can be enormous indeed." Kaukab Jhumra Smith, Juvenile Justice Information Exchange
"Many researchers and advocates agree that students in the juvenile justice system often do not have access to quality academic instruction and programming while they are in confinement." The Children's Defense Fund
"After a long, frustrating wait for action on any juvenile justice-related legislation, the pending reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act – now known as No Child Left Behind – offers advocates a chance to improve the plight of youth who are incarcerated." - Youth Today
Unlocking Potential: Organizing a School Inside a Prison draws on Hilderbrand Pelzer III’s professional experiences and his nationally acclaimed work in public education within the Philadelphia Prison System, the fifth-largest urban county jail system in the nation. The book is highly recommended for school districts, juvenile detention facilities, adult county jails, and educational organizations responsible for educating incarcerated juveniles.
Professionals working with incarcerated juveniles can use this book to review their educational practices; examine their assumptions about the capacities and capabilities of schools in correctional facilities; plan action to overcome legal, logistical, and educational dilemmas; design schools that align with deliberate correctional education and academic purposes; and raise correctional educational dialogue to the level that such work merits.
Through a great narrative voice, Hilderbrand demonstrates passion for the subject matter and presents his book in a very highly-researched and thorough manner. He gives readers a lot to consider and presents an under-recognized aspect of public education that is of growing importance – correctional education. While his knowledge and experience lends credence to the book’s content, Hilderbrand presents his material in an inspirational, simple, and straightforward manner that just about anyone could understand and benefit from reading it. He considers his audience well and includes details that add to the substance and credibility of his writing and really brings out his great expertise.
Order Your Copy Today!
Professionals working with incarcerated juveniles can use this book to review their educational practices; examine their assumptions about the capacities and capabilities of schools in correctional facilities; plan action to overcome legal, logistical, and educational dilemmas; design schools that align with deliberate correctional education and academic purposes; and raise correctional educational dialogue to the level that such work merits.
Through a great narrative voice, Hilderbrand demonstrates passion for the subject matter and presents his book in a very highly-researched and thorough manner. He gives readers a lot to consider and presents an under-recognized aspect of public education that is of growing importance – correctional education. While his knowledge and experience lends credence to the book’s content, Hilderbrand presents his material in an inspirational, simple, and straightforward manner that just about anyone could understand and benefit from reading it. He considers his audience well and includes details that add to the substance and credibility of his writing and really brings out his great expertise.
Order Your Copy Today!
From the Foreword
"For those school-age youths who will be incarcerated for long terms, acquiring an education will broaden their experiences and enable them to focus on bettering themselves while incarcerated. When these juvenile inmates are involved in constructive learning, they are less likely to engage in antisocial and violents acts. Becoming knowledgeable about their world gives them a bridge to constructive thinking. Correctional education benefits society and provides solutions for improving student achievement in challenging learning environments."
"For those school-age youths who will be incarcerated for long terms, acquiring an education will broaden their experiences and enable them to focus on bettering themselves while incarcerated. When these juvenile inmates are involved in constructive learning, they are less likely to engage in antisocial and violents acts. Becoming knowledgeable about their world gives them a bridge to constructive thinking. Correctional education benefits society and provides solutions for improving student achievement in challenging learning environments."
What People Are Saying About Hilderbrand Pelzer III's Book and Expertise
"Crime and Education come together more often than one would think. 'Unlocking Potential: Organizing a School Inside a Prison' is a guide to prison based education to help those youths who are incarcerated not to lose their way from education and to help them turn around their ways for the future. 'Unlocking Potential' is strongly recommended for those in charge of education of imprisoned youths." Midwest Book Review
"Crime and Education come together more often than one would think. 'Unlocking Potential: Organizing a School Inside a Prison' is a guide to prison based education to help those youths who are incarcerated not to lose their way from education and to help them turn around their ways for the future. 'Unlocking Potential' is strongly recommended for those in charge of education of imprisoned youths." Midwest Book Review
"I found this book so inspiring. . . I learned at lot from reading it." Dana Micheli, Writers in the Sky
"Hilderbrand Pelzer III has tremendous expertise in the juvenile prison system and public education."
Amanda Reddington and Melissa Radzimski, 91.3 FM WTSR
Amanda Reddington and Melissa Radzimski, 91.3 FM WTSR
"It is refreshing to see information and concerns navigated towards our unique situation. It is not often that I find information specific to what we are doing." Robert Leyrer, Correctional Educator & Special Education Coordinator
"Whether you work with incarcerated youth, in an alternative setting, or in a more traditional school environment, your eyes will be opened by Hilderbrand Pelzer III's new book." Justin Baeder, Director, The Principal Center
"With the help of Hilderbrand Pelzer III, every child may have a chance at a better education." Greatist.com
"Mr. Hilderbrand Pelzer III is an example of a man, a strong African-American man, who sees a problem with the system and instead of complaining, he confronted the system with a model created to address the problem. Mr. Pelzer is an agent of change. His book reveals a model which can be replicated in public schools everywhere." Tanisha Pinckney, Examiner.com
