What is Non-Traditional

Instructors at prison-based college programs face many challenges not encountered on traditional college campuses. Instructors used to conventional campus-based students and teaching environments often find themselves unprepared or overwhelmed because prison-based programs differ in many ways from traditional college classrooms. Many incarcerated students lack the necessary fundamental academic writing and communication skills to succeed in college-level courses but not the intelligence and dedication. Instructors often find themselves unprepared for and inexperienced in teaching remedial-level writing and grammar skills, especially to non-traditional adult learners. This chapter discusses the differences between campus and prison classrooms, incarcerated students' academic backgrounds and needs, and the instructional limitations of teaching in prisons. This chapter provides instructional methodology tailored to the unique needs of incarcerated students, as well as examples of syllabi, worksheets, and practice exercises.