Dec292022
BlogEducation and RecidivismChange A Life Through Education

Change A Life Through Education

Education is a pathway to foster positive change or personal growth. This is why Blackstone offers a correspondence paralegal course specifically designed for incarcerated individuals. Many inmates are looking for a positive endeavor while incarcerated. Research shows that serving productive time by increasing education reduces recidivism.

Blackstone’s accredited Paralegal Certificate program enables students to learn about the law and the paralegal field by studying at their own pace and at their facility. Reasonably priced, this program can be completed in less than a year and provides information that can be put into practice while incarcerated and once released. In some states, completing education while incarcerated may allow time off of their sentence.

Inmates from over 1,800 facilities across the nation have already turned to Blackstone Career Institute to further their education. Inmates can complete their entire course via correspondence. No computers, proctors, or facility instructors are required. Blackstone’s soft-covered books and course materials allow for ease of entry into most state prisons, federal penitentiaries, county jails, and other institutions.

Blackstone’s Paralegal Certificate Program Perks

  • Legal knowledge may provide opportunities to make money while incarcerated and once released
  • Offenders may qualify for earned time – consult with the education director for eligibility and the policies that apply in each state
  • Serving productive time by increasing education reduces recidivism
  • Increased employment prospects
  • Higher self-esteem
  • Marketable job skills
  • A means to transition into society
  • Self-paced program with completion time ranging from 4-18 months
  • Financial assistance programs include GI Bill Education Benefits for veterans and the Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA program)

List of materials

There are no hidden fees! Blackstone’s Paralegal Certificate Program all-inclusive tuition:

Blackstone Modern American Law Series – This set of 14 volumes will become a valuable lifelong reference for Paralegals to begin their own legal library! Texts average 155 pages, with almost 2, 150 pages in all.

Blackstone Law Glossary – This extra volume gives a concise definition of legal terms and phrases that the student is likely to encounter, plus the phonetic pronunciation of words – an invaluable tool when going through the Blackstone course.

Legal Research and Writing Part 1 – This volume provides a solid foundation in legal research, covering an introduction to the U.S. legal system; primary and secondary sources; computer-assisted legal research; conducting, updating and verifying legal research; and legal analysis.

Legal Research and Writing Part 2 – Building on the information presented in Part I, this volume focuses on the skills paralegals need to perform on-the-job professional legal writing. The volume covers the preparation of legal letters, legal research memorandums, trial court legal memorandums, and appellate briefs.

How to Find a Job as a Paralegal – This volume provides readers with the vital information necessary to begin an exciting career in the legal field. Candidates learn about the various legal work environments and specialty areas for which paralegals are in demand. In addition, the volume covers crucial information about starting the job search, guidelines for resume and cover letter writing, and some rules for having a successful interview. Tips for succeeding on the job are also presented in this unit.

Ethics for Paralegals – This volume covers the evolution of the paralegal profession; job responsibilities; confidentiality, conduct, and ethics; working as a freelance or independent paralegal; and lifelong learning.

Merriam Webster’s Dictionary of Law – Easy-to-understand guide to the language of law. Over 10,000 revised and updated entries explain the vocabulary used in legal situations. Updated entries from recent events. Essential information includes definitions, pronunciations, example phrases and quotations, and supplementary notes.

Graduates Receive:

Writing to Win: The Legal Writer by Steven D. Stark. A complete guide to writing strategies that will make your case- and win it!

Paralegal Certification Matters

Our nationally accredited Paralegal certificate program includes the 900 clock-hours of coursework needed to sit for the Accredited Legal Professional (ALP) exam and/or the Professional Paralegal (PP) certification, given by the National Association for Legal Support (NALS). 

Graduates will also meet the accredited business/legal course criteria needed to sit for the Certified Legal Assistant/Certified Paralegal (CLA/CP) exam given by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA). Graduates must meet all parole obligations prior to sitting for the CLA/CP exam. The only required prerequisite is a High School or General Equivalency Diploma.