Massachusetts Department of Correction donates Computers for Schools
Franklin D. Roosevelt School receives 30 computers
Milford (November 14, 2011)—The Massachusetts Department of Correction (DOC) continues its distribution of newly refurbished computers through its Computers for Schools Program by delivering 10 PCs and 20 laptops to the Franklin D. Roosevelt School in Hyde Park on November 14, 2011. 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 Luis S. Spencer. “92% of offenders will be released from the confines of prison, so our job is to provide opportunities for offenders that change their behavior, and make communities safer. In addition, inmates who work on these computers gain 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.”
Franklin D. Roosevelt School Principal Emily Glasgow, Executive Office of Public Safety and Security Undersecretary for Criminal Justice Sandra McCroom, DOC Director of Inmate Training & Education Veronica Madden, and DOC Computers for Schools Coordinator Brian Flynn as well as second grade students attended the presentation.
“In addition to learning marketable skills for their return home, the inmates that work on these computers are especially happy to support the school children who benefit from the donated computers; as many inmates did not complete their education before coming to prison and now recognize the value of education,” said DOC Director of Inmate Training & Education Veronica Madden.
Franklin D. Roosevelt School Principal Emily Glasgow appreciates 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 our school and will be used to support classroom learning in multiple ways,” said Emily Glasgow. “We are very grateful to the Department of Correction for its generosity.”
With this donation, the DOC Computers for Schools Program has given approximately 3,935 computers to classrooms throughout the Commonwealth since 1997 when this program began. At an estimated cost of $200-$250 for a refurbished computer, this program has saved school districts between $787,000 to $983,750. The restorations involve the conversion of computers with Pentium 4 processors. 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 after it upgraded its system. DOC continues to seek donations for this partnership program. Inquiries can be directed to 508-935-0901. Schools are selected through an agreement with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Currently schools are chosen for donation based on 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 in California, 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. Since the program began, about 461 inmates have participated in the program.
The DOC Computers for Schools Program received the Department’s Beyond Excellence Vision Award in 1998 and national recognition in 1999 with “The Best in the Business Award” from Corrections Today Magazine.