This project has really been the make or break for us to be able to do the coding in prisons program, as well as the devshop that develops Ed Tech for prisons at Unlocked Labs. Love at the project has been formalized and will make a huge difference in the lives of many justice involved individuals who just want to return to their communities as productive citizens.
Never heard of Unlocked Labs before reading this comment, but that sounds like an outstanding project. Keep up the good work. You didn't promote yourself but I have no affiliation and this is what I found after searching: https://unlockedlabs.org/
I was once a guest in a maximum security prison for a few hours. It gave me the eerie realization that my own freedom is entirely up to the guards and staff. When that door closes you are no longer free - you're at the mercy of a huge system. It's a terrible feeling. Talking with some of the inmates made me realize how much I had subconsciously dehumanized them as a group. It was eye opening.
Listening to stories of people who have been in prison, even if you never meet them, can help build empathy. Here's a good interview with a guy who taught himself to program while in prison: https://corecursive.com/prison-programming-with-rick-wolter/
If you're ever interviewing a formerly incarcerated person for a job, I'd encourage you to try very hard to keep your biases in check. Building a life after prison seems like a supremely difficult task.
[edit] That's what I get for reading the comments before the article! Unlocked Labs is linked in the 2nd sentence. :)
