OPINION —
Delighted to read [Observer 12/28/23 p.B6] about AU Graduation at ALDoC’s Staton facility which included APAEP (Alabama Prison Arts + Education Project) students I taught years ago. Blessed to have many students from tutoring, high school, thousands of undergraduates to international officers at the Air War College during 30+ years teaching. Among the most rewarding; teaching these attentive, hard-working prison students who genuinely appreciated the effort.
Long time Opelika Observer readers may recall Fred Woods reprinting past Alabama Gazette columns which addressed APAEP and applauded former State Senator Cam Ward’s efforts to address the prison crisis in our State. APAEP can be an integral part of attenuating this mess. Ward clearly understands the long-run benefit/return from programs of this sort via reduced recidivism and DoC expenditures.
I’m merely a lowly instructor dedicated to teach appreciative students wherever I can. The true ‘heavy-lifting’ was exerted by outstanding AU administrators like Kyes Stevens, my elected Dept. Chair (Prof. Michael Stern) and up to then President Gogue. From my vantage point this noble teaching endeavour would’ve disappeared from AU years ago without Gogue’s support. Of course DoC Commissioner Jefferson Dunn proved to be a visionary in this regard and also understood APAEP could be an integral part of responding to our prison crisis. I’ll never forget how accommodating Commissioner Dunn and other officers were to allow me ‘office hours’ with my students before class — during lunch/class breaks in some of the hottest temps I’ve ever taught. No doubt some accused me of being foolish… guilty as charged.
For those who may not know, Kyes Stevens is Founder and Director of APAEP at Auburn, a program serving 10 Alabama prisons providing (pre)college classes. The first Alabama prison B.S. degree program was launched in 2016. Stevens received awards as an influential woman in Alabama; invited to participate in numerous White House discussions about Higher-Ed in criminal justice reform. Unusual to observe Alabama ahead of the curve on the prison issue, providing consultation and input to other States seeking solutions. Sadly those who’d be in school and getting education are not being served by the ETF, putting more pressure on the general fund as a holding place for some prisoners who do not belong behind bars and could be talented productive participants in our State’s economy.
In closing, thanks again for publishing this wonderful piece… aiding enumeration of many blessings this holiday season and pleasant realization of ending one’s career. The recent Wall St. Journal report placing AU in the top 4 among public universities makes clear I’m not an input toward being the number one they’re trying to achieve. Furthermore, I tried to volunteer/substitute teach at my local High School, but it seems they’re unable to vet someone like me who’s been cleared to teach in the prisons. Looking forward to retiring from my other volunteer duties this year to spend more time with my beautiful bride who’s been my biggest advocate and support these decades.
John P. Sophocleus
Instructor of Economics (Retired)
Auburn University
Sophocleus is an economist who worked ten years at Ford Motor Company then completely retired after thirty years teaching; he’s currently an Alabama Gazette monthly columnist since 2009 in print and online.