About Us - Dallas County
County Impact Statements
Attitude Is Everything: Behind Closed Bars
The Cooperative Extension Office is housed in the same building
as the Dallas County Women’s Jail. When Extension employees noticed
a need for inmate education and then received approval through the
proper channels, visits with the inmates began.
Educational programming on topics such as self-esteem, parenting,
nutrition, and resource management are being conducted in the Dallas
County Female Jail.
Inmates are taught to cope with their situations, and they
discuss ways to deal with their anger while they are in jail and how
they will deal with situations when they get out. They are
encouraged to take pride in their appearance and hygiene.
Many are parents, and their parenting skills and eating habits
are lacking. They are encouraged to be better role models for their
children and to improve their eating habits and overall nutrition.
Extension’s Parenting Journey/Financial Journey materials are used
to educate the inmates.
Work habits and employment skills are discussed as well as their
personal interests for future employment. The inmates like to stay
busy and are always willing to help when asked. They help with
preparing signs for use during the county fair. One inmate makes
baby afghans and enters them in the county fair.
Inmates receive benefits through educational materials, through
personal contact, and through knowing that someone cares. Agent May
says that she receives more benefits than the inmates do just by
knowing them and their situations.
Impacts
- 2 inmates have improved their appearance and hygiene on a
regular basis.
- 3 inmates have improved their behavior due to anger
management skills.
- 10 inmates have learned parenting skills that will help them
to be better role models.
- 5 inmates have considered different types of jobs according
to their interests.
Inmates showing afghans made and entered in county
fair. |
