Senator Bill Cassidy’s Fight for Screening Inmates for Dyslexia

By Barbara Berg

In September 2014, Cassidy “broke down twice Thursday as he testified about his and his wife’s frustration as they tried to find a suitable educational program for their daughter Kate.”
(Source: Nola.com)

Considering Bill Cassidy’s personal experience with dyslexia, it isn’t surprising that his name is attached to the provision for screening inmates for dyslexia that is included in the Federal First Step Act legislation endorsed by President Trump to reform America’s criminal justice system.

Learning Disabilities, Dyslexia and the Prison Population

A study found that 80 percent of prison inmates at the state prison in Huntsville, Texas, were functionally illiterate and 48 percent were dyslexic. Dr. Cassidy does not find this statistic surprising. “Having treated patients in prisons, I learned that illiteracy often leads someone to turn to a life of crime. Dyslexia is a leading cause of illiteracy, so to address illiteracy and incarceration, we must better address dyslexia,” said Dr. Cassidy. “I’m pleased Chairman Grassley, Jared Kushner, and the White House agreed to incorporate my proposal for screening inmates for dyslexia into this bill. It makes sense that if someone learns to read, they’re less likely to end up in prison and more likely to be a productive member of society. And if someone ends up in prison, they’re more likely to be able to get a job and keep it once they are released. In the end, I think this will save some people from the prison system, make our streets safer, and save taxpayers money.” (Source: The Livingston Parish News)

Assistive Technology for Learning Disabled Students in a Correctional Facility

Screening inmates for dyslexia is the first step in addressing the challenge of the learning-disabled prison population.

The next logical step is to address this situation proactively. LD Resources Foundation has long advocated for providing prisoners who are on the path to rehabilitation with the tools they need to succeed. With such a large percentage of the prison population confirmed to be learning disabled or dyslexic, a program that includes Assistive Technology would help immeasurably.

In fact, with the support of LD Resources Foundation, a program to help disabled inmates learn has been in existence since 2009.  The Bedford Hills College Program (BHCP) serves approximately 150 college students at the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, a maximum security prison for women in New York. Courses leading to an Associate of Arts degree in Social Sciences and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology are offered to the prison population. Marymount Manhattan College is the sole degree-granting institution of the BHCP, which also includes college-prep courses in writing and math.

Ronald C. Jackson, the Dean of Students of Marymount Manhattan College and Cindy Mercer, Ph.D. Executive Director of Academic Achievement / Marymount Manhattan College were so impressed with the training and the assistive technology LD Resources Foundation had awarded to the college students at Marymount Manhattan, they asked Zahavit Paz, the Chairperson of LD Resources Foundation to establish it at The Bedford Hills College Program (BHCP). Ms. Paz provided assistive technology (AT) and training to enable the learning-disabled college students in the program to succeed. (See Testimonials.)

Conclusion

Thanks to Dr. Bill Cassidy and his efforts to help inmates rather than simply incarcerate them, there is hope that they can lead more productive lives. If we can help a larger percentage of the population who are challenged with learning disabilities, dyslexia, ADHD, etc. perhaps fewer individuals will wind up behind bars – a benefit to them and to society as a whole.