An Inside Look into Incarcerated Education
There is always an opportunity to grow and improve one’s life, even while in prison, and Blackstone Career Institute is here to provide incarcerated education for those who are seeking a way to complete educational courses and expand their knowledge in a job field.
Regardless of one’s past experiences, there are ways to take steps toward a better future, and it could start with investigating educational opportunities from within a prison facility.
The correspondence Paralegal certificate program has been curated to serve the inmate population in a way that is accessible, affordable, and applicable to students who are seeking ways to learn new skills and implement positive changes in their life.
Here is an inside look at Blackstone’s incarcerated education opportunity:
First Step on the Education Journey
Enrollment is the first step incarcerated individuals can take toward improving their educational knowledge, showing they are serious about completing coursework and ready to take the necessary steps to use their time wisely and receive valuable skills.
The Paralegal certificate program has been designed for incarcerated education—no Internet access is needed! With a curriculum that covers general law terms, protocols, and ethics, the topics include an understanding of the process of criminal procedure, how partnerships and corporations are created, the essential elements of constitutional law, a knowledge base of law definitions, job search techniques, and ethics related to the paralegal industry.
Thanks to an easy enrollment process, incarcerated individuals can begin their studies by filling out a paper form, or a friend or loved one can complete an online enrollment form for the student. It is important to note that students must hold a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
A $59 down payment must be submitted at enrollment, and there are two budget-friendly monthly payment plans to choose from. Alternatively, the program can be paid in full.
Once enrollment is completed, the student will be sent the first glue-bound, soft-cover volume to begin the coursework along with a law glossary and welcome letter. Students can audit the program until the proof of education is received.
Show Proof of Education
After enrollment, students must submit proof of their prior education, demonstrating their high school equivalency education. There is a 60-day period from the time of enrollment to send this documentation via mail, fax, or email. This is required before any exams can be graded or any additional volumes mailed, due to the post-secondary level of the program.
Getting Started on Incarcerated Education
Once students have taken the necessary steps to improve their educational background and grow in knowledge, they should remain diligent about their studies by completing the 14 volumes in the program, which will be mailed via USPS. Depending on the payment plan chosen, students will receive the volumes at different intervals.
It is important that students pace themselves so they can take in all the information and apply it correctly to the exam questions. Finished exams, as well as assignments, should be mailed back to Blackstone Career Institute for grading.
Students also have the ability to reach out to the Education Department at Blackstone, which is available via correspondence, to answer any questions they may have as they navigate the material to ensure they receive the best incarcerated education possible.
Final Step Toward Completing Incarcerated Education
Once a student has made sure their proof of education is on file, satisfactorily completed all the coursework, and paid the tuition balance in full, the student is ready to graduate! Upon graduation, students receive an official certificate, official transcript, and the book Writing to Win by Steven D. Stark.
Potential Opportunity for Future Certification
One of the potential benefits of our Paralegal certificate program is receiving the 900 clock hours needed to sit for the CP® Exam administered by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA). Incarcerated individuals or individuals on any kind of court-imposed supervision due to a felony offense are not eligible to apply for the exam until after their time served and supervision are completed.
Additional Incarcerated Education Available
In addition, Blackstone Career Institute offers correspondence Advanced Paralegal courses that dive deeper into a specific area of law. Some of the course topics include criminal law, civil litigation, real estate law, family law, and more. Many topics are covered with a broad stroke in the Paralegal certificate program and could be the launching pad to help students determine what area they want to receive more expertise in.
Our Advanced Paralegal courses also require an enrollment agreement and down payment to get started. Any questions about these courses can be directed to an admissions advisor.
Find Out More Today
The Paralegal certificate program can encourage an incarcerated individual on a path towards empowerment and growth for themselves and the community. If you have an incarcerated friend or loved one who might be interested in taking our program, you can watch a video on the program and request more information here.
Written by Laura Conaway
Disclaimer: Blackstone Career Institute, an accredited school, cannot guarantee employment, job promotion prospects, or income increases. Please check our course pages for current pricing.
