Massachusetts Department of Correction donates Computers for Schools James P. Timilty Middle School receives 100 computers

Milford (June 8, 2009)—The Massachusetts Department of Correction (DOC) continues its distribution of newly refurbished computers through its Computers for Schools Program by delivering 100 computers to the James P. Timilty Middle School in Boston on June 8, 2009. The DOC Computers for Schools Program trains inmates to refurbish computers that have been donated to the Department for distribution to public school systems throughout the Commonwealth.

“This is a great opportunity for the schools, the students and the Department of Correction,” said DOC Commissioner Harold W. Clarke. “With 92% of offenders coming home on any given day, our job is to provide opportunities for offenders to change their behavior, and make communities safer. In addition, inmates who work on these computers are obtaining marketable skills that they can use when they return to the community. They are given the opportunity to do something positive for themselves and the community.”

Timilty Middle School Principal Valerie Lowe, Executive Office of Public Safety and Security Undersecretary for Criminal Justice Mary Elizabeth Heffernan, DOC Deputy Commissioner Veronica Madden, DOC Director of Inmate Training & Education Carolyn Vicari, DOC Computers for Schools Coordinator Brian Flynn as well as over 120 students attended the presentation.

“In addition to providing a much needed resource to the community, the Computers for Schools Program supports the DOC’s Reentry Initiative by giving inmates skills they can use when they are released and return home,” said DOC Deputy Commissioner Veronica Madden.

Timilty Middle School Principal Valerie Lowe was appreciative of the work of the inmates to increase opportunities for students through expansion of computer labs.

“This donation of computers will help increase access to technology for students at the Timilty and will be used to support classroom learning in multiple ways,” said Ms. Lowe. “We are grateful to the Department of Correction for its generosity and pleased to count this agency among the many partner organizations whose support is critical as we work to prepare middle school students for success in high school and beyond.”

With this donation, the DOC Computers for Schools Program has given approximately 3,870 computers to classrooms throughout the Commonwealth since the program began in 1997. At an estimated cost of $200-$250 for a refurbished computer, this program has saved school districts between $774,000 to $967,500. The restorations involve the conversion of a computer that is a Pentium 3 or faster as well as the installation of a CD-ROM drive and sound cards. DOC provides the CPU, monitor, keyboard and mouse.

The DOC receives computers donated by large corporations and businesses, and received its largest donation when the Massachusetts Trial Court donated 1,200 computers when it upgraded its system. Schools are selected through an agreement with the Massachusetts Department of Education. Currently schools are chosen for donation by comparing the number of computers per student. Under the program, computers must be used directly by students, and not for administrative offices or other functions.

The DOC Computers for Schools Program is modeled after the Detwiler Foundation’s original program inCalifornia, which is now operating in Chicago, Illinois, by a nonprofit organization. In May 1998, the first of the computers were refurbished by inmates, with more than two dozen inmates participating in the program.

The DOC Computers for Schools Program received the Department’s Beyond Excellence Vision Award in 1998 and a national “The Best in the Business Award” in 1999 from Corrections Today Magazine.

The James P. Timilty Middle School serves more than 650 students in grades 6 to 8. Located in Roxbury, the school is one of three Boston Public Schools (BPS) middle schools to offer an extended day program which provides students with additional instruction time in core academic subjects and an opportunity to take specialty classes in a variety of areas.