“Y’all Are Students”: Culturally Sustaining Literacy in a Prison

Abstract

In this study, we explored students’ experiences while enrolled in a culturally sustaining literacy pilot program, which incorporated multicultural audiobooks. We examined components of this program and how it engaged and improved literacy practices and strategies. Twenty-four adult males in a correctional institution participated. We utilized constant comparison to analyze the data, which included a reflexive journal, observations, lesson plans, writing samples, reading responses, a survey, and a focus group interview. We identified three major themes: “This is me,” “Y’all are students”, and “Gracias, Thank you.” Students demonstrated increased confidence in discussions and their literacy skills and strategies.

Keywords

culturally sustaining incarceration adult literacy qualitative research

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