Session Recommendations for 2014 CEA Conference Attendees

cea-transparent-bg-mediumThe 69th Annual Correctional Education Association’s conference sessions kicks off on Friday, June 20, 2014 in Arlington, Virginia. This is year’s conference is perfectly aligned with my personal and professional interests. The theme is Education & Technology: The Pathway to Reentry. I would love to attend, but this year’s conference announcement slipped under my radar. Unless I can find an affordable round trip ticket or someone sponsors me, I will not be attending.

This post is geared towards people attending the conference. It lists sessions that you should consider attending if you are interested in technology and correctional education. In each session’s time slot, a first choice and back up are identified.

Monday June 23, 2014 Session 1 10:30-11:45 AM:

First Choice: Breaking the technology barrier in jails and prisons: Discussion on inmate internet access (Brant Choate)
Washington Room 3 Virginia Ballroom Plaza Level

Backup: A Technological Approach for the Delivery of Secure Online Instruction in Correctional Institutions (Rob Miller)
Richmond Room Commonwealth Hall Lobby Level

Sooner or later, correctional facilities will be providing incarcerated people with internet access. I don’t know about you, but I think we need to actively be engaged in discussions about what this will look and feel like in real world application. If we risk having people continue to make critical decisions without the context necessary to offer sound judgment. This is why Brant Choate session is my first choice. However, if you are interested in what you can do tomorrow, the backup session may be a better fit for you.


Monday June 23, 2014 Session 2 2:15-3:15 PM

First Choice: Information Technology and the Internet in Correctional Education (John Linton)
Madison Room Virginia Ballroom Plaza level

Backup: 21st Century Employment Strategies (Francina Carter)
Crystal Room Plaza Level

Among other factors, infrastructure, internet connectivity and education have been identified as some of the reasons the digital exclusion thrives. The fact that John Linton explicitly includes terms that relate to each leads me to believe that he will talk about each. Thus, I selected it as the first choice. Using the proper strategies for seeking employment, the topic of the backup session, is important and not limited to just those incarcerated.


Monday June 23, 2014 Session 3 3:30-4:30 PM

First Choice: Using Technology in the Ohio Correctional System (Dave Weibel)
Williamsburg Room Commonwealth Hall Lobby Level

Backup A: Khan Academy Lite (KA Lite) Transforms Correctional Education in Idaho (Jesse Bucholz)
Yorktown Room Commonwealth Hall Lobby Level

Backup B: Correctional Education and Innovation (Robin Long)
Adams Room  Virginia Ballroom   Plaza Level

The sessions I have selected as the first choice up to this point deal with the “big picture”. Although this is helpful, it is also helpful to know what is happening on the ground. Thus the first choice here, led by Dave Weibel, is a bit more granular and talks about what is going on at the state level. Backup A gets even more narrow, focusing on a specific tool–KA Lite. If you want to continue along the “big picture” track attend Backup B.


Tuesday June 24, 2014 Session 4 8:30-9:45 AM 

First Choice: Writing for the JPER: Reporting from Good Practice and Research in Correctional Education (Ginger Marie Walker)
Roanoke Room Commonwealth Hall Lobby Level

Backup: Correctional Education Research Across the U.S. (Penny Veit-Hetletved)
Crystal Room Plaza Level

I selected these two sessions specifically because it is important that we document what we are doing and share it on formal and informal channels of communication. Currently, there is very little of that going on, especially in a structured way all year-long. The first choice is a great session for anyone who thinks the work they are doing is important and should be shared with others. The backup session can offer insights on the topics people are writing about. It can also serve as a template that can help you get through your first few pieces.


Tuesday June 24, 2014 Session 5 10:00-11:15 AM

First Choice:  Meetup with some colleagues (led by YOU) – where ever you want 🙂

Backup A: Time, Technology, and the White Board (Marianne Allen)
Washington Room 3 Virginia Ballroom Plaza Level

Backup B: Essential Elements for Successful Transitional Programming (David Brady)
Washington Room 2 Virginia Ballroom Plaza Level

During any conference, it is important to carve out time to meetup with some colleagues or take a walk. This time slot maybe right for that. If you are one of those people who needs to be at session during every time slot then consider one of the ones mentioned above. There was no session that stood out as a clear “must go”, but the two selected should give you rich content.


Tuesday June 24, 2014 Session 6 1:00-2:15 PM

First Choice: Leveraging the Web for Re-Integration (Matt Williams)
Washington Room 3 Virginia Ballroom Plaza Level

Backup: Steve Steurer CEA Secure Tablet
Roanoke Room Commonwealth Hall Lobby Level

The importance of the internet cannot be overstated. The role it can play in reintegration is limitless. I assume Matt Williams will highlight specific web-based resources that support reintegration and social inclusion. Next, CEA’s decision to build a secure tablet is a logical and interesting one. It would be great to hear more about the thinking behind the tablet, how it is has been received by corrections administration, and CEA’s plans as it relates to technology in the correctional setting. It is the backup choice because it is a step removed from the users.


Tuesday June 24, 2014 Session 7 2:30-3:30 PM

First Choice: Louisiana’s 100-Hour Reentry Preparation Program Goes National: A Mobile Prerelease Program for All Offenders (Kim Barnette)
Roanoke Room Commonwealth Hall Lobby Level

Backup: Technology and Career-Technical Education in Ohio (Brian Lee)
Richmond Room Commonwealth Hall Lobby Level

Although a mouthful, I’m interested to see how Kim Barnette (first choice) operationalizes “mobile prerelease program” and to hear about the actual elements. Though the notion that the only people who need technology classes are people going into technical fields (the topic of the backup) is dated, I wonder what direction Brian Lee’s discussion will go in.


Wednesday June 25, 2014 Session 8 8:30-9:45 AM

First ChoiceJpay (Paul DiObilda)
Adams Room Virginia Ballroom Plaza Level

Backup: TVs and Tablets in the Day Room: New learnings from Cook County (Brian Hill)
Crystal Room Plaza Level

I have tried to get in contact with JPay for more than two years to do a usability study of their in-prison email kiosks. This study would be designed to understand the strengths of the kiosks and how they can be improved to give users with the best experience. Unfortunately, my phone and email messages have gone unanswered. Attending the JPay session can help anyone interested in evaluating any of JPay’s products establish a relationship that can help enable this.

Off to the Races

Well, there you have it. I hope my suggestions will make it easier for you to figure out what sessions you should attend. BTW, please share what you learn!