Oklahoma State Reformatory’s Braille program empowers inmates and celebrates early success
The Oklahoma Department of Corrections is making significant strides in reducing recidivism through innovative initiatives like the Braille program at Oklahoma State Reformatory. Since launching in March 2023, the program has already seen early success, with six inmates earning certificates in literary Braille transcribing from the Library of Congress and 17 others currently enrolled.
The Braille program at OSR is a partnership between ODOC and the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services.
“This program provides an encouraging, productive environment where inmates can develop skills that facilitate their transition from incarceration to successful reentry into the community,” said Cassandra Thrower, ODOC’s administrative operations manager and Braille program liaison to DRS.
The program is designed to take about three years. In the first phase, which lasts nine months to a year, participants complete 20 lessons and a 35-page transcription project, after which they earn a certification in literary Braille transcription.
This certification is required for the subsequent phases, which include advanced certifications in Braille proofreading, textbook formatting, and an apprenticeship in tactile graphics. The goal is for participants to complete all phases, become proficient in Braille transcription, and secure employment upon release.
Clifford McCraw, the first at OSR to gain his literary Braille transcriber certification, shared his experience. “I think it's a wonderful program. It keeps people engaged. It really keeps people busy, and it actually benefits the community.” His thoughts highlight the program's dual impact: skill development and a sense of purpose.
Due to its popularity and high demand, the Braille program has expanded to accommodate 27 participants. Admission is selective, involving an interview process to ensure that candidates understand the program’s three-year commitment and demonstrate the dedication needed for success. Roberta Benedict is the administrative programs officer who runs the Braille program at OSR. She said, “This is the best thing because they can take it with them. It doesn't matter what their charges are; they can do this from home when they get out.”
At a recent conference in Dallas, Thrower met with women who participated in the same certification program while incarcerated. While some transcribers reported earning up to $200,000 annually, depending on the contract, part-time Braille transcription work typically pays around $40,000 a year, making it a valuable post-incarceration career path.
The OSR Braille program, in addition to helping the participants keep up their skills, is paving the way for a brighter future. Thrower’s vision is to establish a Braille office within ODOC, where certified transcribers can take on transcription contracts while incarcerated, further refining their skills and earning income.
Benedict emphasized, “I enjoy watching the men find hope. They come in a little downtrodden, and then they see that there's a future in this, that they can be productive, and that they can go out in society and do something helpful.”
For more information about the Braille certification program, visit the National Federation of the Blind’s website. This free public program is open to all U.S. citizens at no cost to Oklahoma taxpayers.
