Student Organization Provides Books to Montour County Prison
Published 12.01.2010
Student members of Pennsylvania College of Technology's Collegiate Association for County Correctional Education recently completed a library-enhancement project at the Montour County Prison.
The CACCE members worked to collect, organize and redistribute a variety of new, high-quality textbooks that were donated by the faculty, staff and students of Penn College.
When dropping off the donation, the CACCE members were given a tour of the facility. Students toured the prison's cellblock, library, visiting room, kitchen and intake area. They also learned about the daily routine of the prison and the behaviors and lifestyles of those incarcerated.
"The administration did an excellent job educating us about the major functions and operations of the facility," said Brandon J. Close, of Williamsport, CACCE president and a student in business administration: marketing concentration. "Our student members found this tour to be very insightful and a positive learning experience overall."
After the tour, students met with Helen Williams, adult education counselor for the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit's Adult Basic Education Program. Williams provided insight on the challenges faced by the educational-service providers who work in county correctional facilities. She also explained some of her experiences working with incarcerated individuals and the troubled youth.
"Young people often feel their options are endless. Unfortunately, if they are not educationally prepared, they will find they have no options at all," Williams said. "When a student makes the decision to be serious about education, it can be the turning point in his or her life."
The Penn College CACCE is a postsecondary, special-interest group of the national Correctional Education Association and the first student organization in the nation with a mission of enhancing educational opportunities for those incarcerated in county facilities.
For more information on becoming involved with the CACCE, contact Close at 570-320-2400, ext 7951, or by e-mail .
For general information about the college, visit online , e-mail or call toll-free 800-367-9222.