ABC Literacy by Mea Kaemmerlen

Do you remember Twilight Zone, that 1960s television show with dark tales and twisted endings? One memorable episode involved a grouchy fellow with thick glasses. His passion was reading, but family, job and day-to-day minutia consumed the time he wanted to spend reading.

Suddenly, through a cataclysmic event, he is the only person left on earth. He delightedly enters a library and surveys the books. As he reaches for one, he knocks off his glasses. Startled, he takes a step and—crunch—his glasses are in smithereens. Seeing only a blur, he realizes he will never read again. In the closing shot, he sits and sobs.

Today, in prisons around the United States, that man’s plight is replicated tens of thousands of times. It’s not because of broken glasses. It’s because many people inside our country’s prisons have never learned to read and write. There are 2.3 million people in prison in the United States today. Of these, perhaps 50 percent—1.26 million—can’t read beyond the most basic level.

What is the ABC Prison Literacy doing to build the literacy skills and self-esteem of men who are incarcerated? To find out, read the full text of this article in the May/June 2010 issue of Horizons.

Call 866/802-3635 or subscribe to Horizons or order the May/June 2010 issue (HZN-10-220; $4 plus shipping).

Mea Kaemmerlen writes a weekly column for the Times of Trenton, teaches writing at Trenton Central High School and is a member of Nassau Presbyterian Church.

Art by Maria Rendon/SIS.

Other Articles Online This Issue

Crime and Consequence: . . .
Waking Up and Speaking Out: . . .
Race and Incarceration: . . .
ABC Literacy
Giving the Best and Giving in Abundance: . . .
PW Mission Pledge
What One PW Is Doing (Graduating into the Challenges of Life)
Going in Circles (With This Ring)
Discernment (Who Do You See?)
Mosaic
Faithful Parenting (Conflict, Communication and Prayer)


What is the ABC Prison Literacy doing to build the literacy skills and self-esteem of men who are incarcerated? To find out, read the full text of this article in the May/June 2010 issue of Horizons. Call 866/802-3635 or subscribe to Horizons or order the May/June 2010 issue (HZN-10-220; $4 plus shipping).	ABC Literacy by Mea Kaemmerlen Do you remember Twilight Zone, that 1960s television show with dark tales and twisted endings? One memorable episode involved a grouchy fellow with thick glasses. His passion was reading, but family, job and day-to-day minutia consumed the time he wanted to spend reading. Suddenly, through a cataclysmic event, he is the only person left on earth. He delightedly enters a library and surveys the books. As he reaches for one, he knocks off his glasses. Startled, he takes a step and—crunch—his glasses are in smithereens. Seeing only a blur, he realizes he will never read again. In the closing shot, he sits and sobs. Today, in prisons around the United States, that man’s plight is replicated tens of thousands of times. It’s not because of broken glasses. It’s because many people inside our country’s prisons have never learned to read and write. There are 2.3 million people in prison in the United States today. Of these, perhaps 50 percent—1.26 million—can’t read beyond the most basic level. What is the ABC Prison Literacy doing to build the literacy skills and self-esteem of men who are incarcerated? To find out, read the full text of this article in the May/June 2010 issue of Horizons. Call 866/802-3635 or subscribe to Horizons or order the May/June 2010 issue (HZN-10-220; $4 plus shipping). Mea Kaemmerlen writes a weekly column for the Times of Trenton, teaches writing at Trenton Central High School and is a member of Nassau Presbyterian Church. Art by Maria Rendon/SIS. Other Articles Online This Issue Crime and Consequence: . . . Waking Up and Speaking Out: . . . Race and Incarceration: . . . ABC Literacy Giving the Best and Giving in Abundance: . . . PW Mission Pledge What One PW Is Doing (Graduating into the Challenges of Life) Going in Circles (With This Ring) Discernment (Who Do You See?) Mosaic Faithful Parenting (Conflict, Communication and Prayer)	Current Issue MAY/JUNE 2010 About This Issue Contents FREE Resource How to Use In Our Next Issue to Horizons or call (866) 802-3635 the May/June 2010 issue, HZN-10-220 ($4 plus shipping/handling)

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