IN MY OWN WORDS - KYLE COLLEEN, CCCF

Kyle Colleen wonders how removing OCE programs that better an AIC's chances of employment, financial independency, and improved self-esteem is helpful?

"When attacking a "slave labor" agenda the entire Department of Corrections would need to be reconstructed - not the OCE & similar programs that are voluntarily participated in. AIC's employment exposure when working for DOC is limited to mandatory culinary work, janitorial or care giving experience. This misinformed pursuit of programs heightens the recidivism rate & perpetuates the reasons why women return to prison."

We have received many letters and continue to see more come in. The responses have been fairly well-rounded with a range of positive, negative, and neutral tones. We want to share with you a letter we received from Kyle Colleen. Kyle Colleen resides at Coffee Creek Correctional Institution and works in OCE's programs there. Her last name has been redacted for considerations of safety and sensitivity. Kyle Colleen has years of perspective and sees OCE programs as a vehicle for positive change in the women who voluntarily participate. What she has to say in the following letter is real and in her own words.

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