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Once the contests were actively facilitators to provide programs via Moving Forward
running, the correctional program Zoom in a centralized program- COVID-19 has been quite the
specialists offered remote program- ming space. learning experience for everyone.
ming, which provided inmates We took a very deliberate Although we were forced to change
with the opportunity to participate approach with all facets of this plan, our direction as it pertains to inmate
in some of their core curriculums. including the outside Zoom pro- programming, the experience has
Every week, inmates were given grams. Our facilitators who provide been beneficial. In Franklin County,
homework assignments and reading coursework via Zoom were warned we have learned that we can con-
material. Each participant received to be prepared to change course if duct programming and hold activi-
a packet with a due date. Inmates the facility was forced to lock down ties—such as the contests—at a
were expected to read all the materi- again for the health and safety of higher volume when incorporating
als and ask pertinent questions via our inmates. For these reasons, we virtual alongside in-person pro-
call card (a form that inmates use to were creative with our offerings, gramming. Could anyone really ask
communicate their requests). focusing on small group gatherings for a better result from COVID-19?
The contests and remote pro- that included programs—such as
gramming assisted the sheriff’s the book club for maximum-secu-
office with the goal of keeping our rity inmates. To date, we have kept Tresalyn Butler-Sharp is the Director
population productively occupied. class sizes small and socially dis- of Social Services at Franklin County
With our main two components in tanced while ensuring that masks Sheriff’s Office in Columbus, Ohio.
She can be contacted at trbutler@
place, we then incorporated outside are worn by everyone. franklincountyohio.gov.

24 | MAY | JUNE 2021 AMERICANJails