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| 5/16/2009 6:00:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article | ONU to begin prison management program in June
By Virginia Bandy
Ada Herald Editor
Beginning in June, Ada will become home to at least 30 professionals from Saudi Arabia for the next two years, as they complete a newly formed prison management program at Ohio Northern University. These professionals, who are already in prison management in their native country, will be focusing on learning English as well as how the prison systems work here in the US.
Ellen Wilson, Coordinator of the program and Chair of the Dept. of History, Politics and Justice at ONU, says that ONU professors will work closely with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections to teach the Saudi students. The King of Saudi Arabia approved the venture in the interest of improving his own prison system. Wilson said "he is all about reform, and these students were hand-picked by him to come here."
"This is an exciting community project," Dr. Kendall Baker noted. Of the 30 students, who range in age from 28-40, several are planning on bringing their families and others will consider it once they arrive in Ada.
Jeff Smith, the Director of the English as a Second Language (ESL) program at ONU, is also excited to be a part of the project. He called Ada a "host community" and plans on immersing the Saudi students in local culture and business. Upon arrival, the students will be assessed on their English speaking skills. In order to advance through the program, Smith said the students have to show progress in their proficiency.
Smith said that during their orientation, students will be given a tour of Ada, taken to the local banks to open accounts, shown the businesses that are available, and the school.
A "scavenger hunt" is also planned to help the students manuever Ada themselves, by visiting certain locations to retrieve items.
"It will be an ongoing process...be patient and the communication will happen," Smith said. "Great relationships and friendships can also happen." Smith said they will encourage interaction with people in the Ada community as well as on campus so that the students can gain practical experience.
Wilson explained that the two year certificate program will include four days of classroom instruction per week and one day for lab work (or tours or creative projects). There are also "weekend experiences" planned, as well as visits to six prison facilities with different levels of security in Ohio and neighboring states. Coursework will include American government, GIS (the mapping of crime in a certain area), Prison Policy, Prison Management with emphasis on rehabilitation, parole and prisoner control, and a comparative course to see how Saudi Arabia and the US compare to other countries in prison management. The program will end with the students completing an internship or research project.
The students will be on the same schedule as other ONU students, with the same holidays and breaks. ONU is making accomodations for the Saudi students' worship needs, as well as their eating habits. The local grocery store will be asked to stock certain items for the Saudi students and families to purchase. "Flexibility is key...we will respond to their needs," Wilson noted.
ONU is planning four community sessions for the public to attend concerning this program. Those with questions or concerns are invited to come and speak with Michael Wilhelm, the Director of International Students and Scholars at West Virginia University. Wilhelm is widely known for his work with international students and integrating them into American universities and colleges.
These four sessions will take place next week:
Wednesday, May 20 at 1:30 p.m. in McIntosh Center Activities Room; and 6:30 p.m. at the Ada Visiting Nurses building.
Thursday, May 21 at 11 a.m. at the Ada First United Methodist Church Wesley Hall; and 1:30 p.m. in McIntosh Center Activities Room.
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