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Some of the sentences involve things won’t seem so dire when ask about signing up for the class,”
directions. If a Spanish-speaking staff can speak to you in your lan- he said.
inmate needs to go to the kitchen or guage. If you don’t know how to In Taplin’s view, a class such as
to his unit, the staff is taught how to tell a person you’re hurting, you can the one at WCCF is useful even if a
provide this information in Spanish. feel traumatized.” facility has only a few non-English
Santiago and Lebron began the Fortunately, Santiago said, the speaking inmates. She noted that
program by teaching the alphabets. class is making a difference. He and while WCCF currently has only a
Typically, they go to the blackboard Lebron were surprised by the staff’s few inmates who speak Spanish,
and write a letter and then a word, reaction. “We didn’t think anyone “When we do receive offenders that
and ask a student to “sound off” would show up on the first day,” speak very little or no English, this
what it is in Spanish. “We write it they said. “But 16 people came and class will help our staff in being able
on the board and explain how it’s now people stop us in the hall and to better communicate with them.”
pronounced,” Santiago said. “Then ask how they can sign up.” Taplin and other staff mem-
we go around the class, asking each Lebron said it feels good when bers believe Santiago and Lebron
student to pronounce the sound.” a staff member talks to him in deserve recognition for their efforts.
After learning the alphabets, they Spanish. Even more, he said, the Taplin said she commends both
focus on the days of the week and staff is very attentive in class and of them. After all, she said, “They
the months of the year. Each student appears to be having fun. Agreeing saw the need and wanted to make
is asked to say his or her birthday in with Santiago, he said the class “is a difference that will benefit both
Spanish. on point” and they hope to increase the Spanish-speaking inmates and
The teachers emphasize the need the number of days each week that staff.” 
to practice. “If you don’t practice it, the class can be held.
you lose the meaning; the feeling Santiago, once again, highlighted References
for it,” said Santiago. “Some say the importance of communication American Correctional Association.
they can’t roll their tongue like me. in Spanish. “If I’m not able to have (2020). Standards for adult correctional
But I say they can. They can learn to a dialogue with you in a language institutions, 5th edition. Alexandria,
do it. We didn’t grow up rolling our that we both can understand, you VA: ACA.
tongues.” can’t have an understanding of Bedard, L. E. (201, April 24). “Why
what’s happening in my heart. you need bilingual corrections
Making a Difference Learning Spanish is a small price to officers.” CorrectionsOne. Retrieved
from www.corrections1.com/
For Santiago and Lebron, the pay for a safe environment.” jail-management/articles/why-
Spanish-speaking class is just what you-need-bilingual-corrections-
they need. Having staff who can Conclusion officers-TQXy1VSseIcYd5Jr/
speak their language helps them in So far, the Spanish-speaking class Williams, S. D. (1985, October). “No
many ways. at WCCF has exceeded everyone’s comprendo: The language barrier
“Have you ever been alone?” expectations, according to Deputy in the criminal justice system.”
asked Santiago. “When you come Warden George Castro. He said it is Corrections Compendium, 10(4), 6–9.
into the prison, you look for people a “much-needed class that is vitally
like you. When everybody speaks a important to the staff and to the few
different language, you don’t know Spanish-speaking inmates that we Roscoe Barnes III, PhD, serves as
what to do. There is the fear of the have.” Castro said he is proud of chaplain for MTC/Wilkinson County
Correctional Facility. He is an author,
unknown. You don’t know what to the two inmates who are leading the former award-winning newspaper
do and you’re afraid to make any class, and he is more than pleased journalist, and independent scholar
movement.” with the staff who are eager to learn of church history. His articles have
Lebron said it is important for Spanish. “This class has proven to appeared in newspapers and maga-
zines, such as Corrections Today. He has
non-English speakers to express be helpful to both the inmates and also published articles in peer-reviewed
the staff,” he said.
themselves. He suggested people journals, which include the Journal of
will prey on those who do not speak According to Santiago, hardly a the European Pentecostal Theological
English. That, among other things, day passes without someone ask- Association. He can be contacted at
will make the inmate feel lost. ing him a question about Spanish. roscoe.barnes@mtctrains.com.
“They won’t know which way “Some days, people stop me and
to turn,” said Santiago. “However,

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