BY PERLA JOHNSON PROFILE FROM SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES, NO. 2 IMPROVING LIVES FROM THE INSIDE OUT
Community Tablet Helps Incarcerated Individual Prepare for Success Jacob Currey, an incarcerated individual at the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office in Illinois, is hopeful for his opportunity to study computer networking and get a job when released.
This profile series will feature interviews with incarcerated individuals who have been empowered with educational technology and communication tools provided by Securus Technologies to help prepare for successful reintegration to society upon release. The second installment highlights Jacob Currey, an incarcerated individual at the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office in Illinois. Since the Sheriff’s Office introduced the Securus Technologies SecureView® Tablet in July of 2019, unproductive idle time has been replaced with opportunities to build both knowledge and inspiration, according to Sherrif Dwight Baird and the incarcerated individuals themselves. Currently 140 tablets have been distributed to residents since the program launched. “The incarcerated individuals have time on their hands. With the educational, job search and mental health content available on the community tablets, they can put that time to constructive use,” says Baird. Nationwide, Securus Technologies provides over 60,000 incarcerated individuals equal access
to critical content on the complimentary SecureView® community tablets with programs such as education, overall betterment, mental health and religion. The wide variety of content has helped Currey envision a path to rebuild his life with education, self-help and employment that gives him hope for the future. “I plan to earn my degree in a field that provides good employment options. Using the SecureView Tablet, I have started looking at job opportunities, testing my skills and begun taking classes,” he states. “I got knowledge and the learning skills to gain employment.” Currey’s favorite programs on the community tablets are those that help him sharpen his skills in math, science, history and civics. He especially enjoys the self-paced learning and testing. He has set
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high goals and the digital resources have educated him on everything from the college AP process to obtaining financial aid, grants, and even scholarships. “I want to study computer networking, get certified as a Cisco network associate,” Currey adds. However, he is not only focused on his career aspirations. The tablets have helped him focus on what is important through its religious programming. He has learned life is not just about helping yourself, but also about aiding others as well. “I want to assist youth to get them in the right direction,” Currey states. “Having spiritual guidance helps me stay positive and maintain a good mindset. Through spiritual growth, I can help others. It gives me a sense of fulfillment.” According to Sheriff Baird, opportunity is the key factor in aiding incarcerated individuals improve their lives and build success and that is why he was excited to add the SecureView Tablet to his facility. The Kendall County Sheriff’s CORRECTIONS FORUM • MAY/JUNE 2020 33
