Patrick Woodcock is a teacher and writer who created a literacy program for Nunavummiut in the corrections system. Helping people in correctional facilities improve their literacy will also help them realize their own potential, he says. (Photo courtesy of Patrick Woodcock)

Spreading the word: Teacher brings literacy to people in jail

Patrick Woodcock started program to help people learn to read, write and also improve their lives

By David Lochead

Since its startup nearly 18 months ago, a literacy program for Nunavummiut being held in custody has gained 118 participants.

According to instructor Patrick Woodcock, it’s about teaching more than just the ability to read and write.

He says it’s important that people know “we’re going to help you with the potential you have, but maybe show you the potential you didn’t know you have.”

Woodcock’s program is based in Iqaluit and run by United for Literacy, a Canadian non-profit organization that works to create access to literacy and learning for everyone.

Through it, Nunavummiut who are in jail or were recently released from the corrections system can establish goals to improve their literacy and create plans for employment.

Some of his work is done inside the correctional facilities, if the person is incarcerated. It’s full-time work for him, though lately he has enlisted volunteers to help him.

Woodcock is a writer who has spent more than 30 years teaching English and being a literacy volunteer in places around the world, including Tanzania, Colombia and Iraq. He said he has worked with people in correctional facilities before and recently taught in the Northwest Territories.

He took the job and created the program to provide people with the training necessary to improve their lives. Plus, he said, he wanted to return to work in the North.

“The goal is to give hope without any agenda and help them achieve their potential,” Woodcock said.

He said he only teaches one-on-one and that all the students have their own ideas about what they want to get out of the program.

Some seek to improve their basic reading and writing skills, some want to work toward their General Educational Development or high school equivalency certificate, while others want to improve their entrance exam abilities to learn a trade.

Woodcock said a literacy program can improve the lives of people in corrections, because once they leave they’ll find basic literacy skills will be required in most work.

He uses the example of getting a job in the trades, where a certain level of literacy is required to take and also succeed in an exam for the job.

Woodcock said he starts with basic reading, writing and communication skills, then gets more specific as he and the participant get closer to the person’s goal, such as preparing to take a test.

The program is flexible based on what the participant wants.

He uses the example of someone who wanted to get into welding, but later decided against it. Woodcock was able to adapt the lessons to suit the participant’s new goal.

He emphasized that while the literacy level of the people he teaches may be low to begin with, the reason for that usually has more to do with circumstance than lack of ability.

“There’s literally zero per cent of the people I’ve met [through this program] that were dealt a good hand,” Woodcock said.

He said he hopes his program instills self-belief in those he works with so they will believe that “you can do this, this is possible.”

In the nearly year and a half that he has taught the program, Woodcock said he has kept in contact with nearly all of the 118 people he worked with.

“Just because they leave [corrections] or leave the halfway house, that doesn’t mean they can’t reach out to me,” he said.

Woodcock said he wants to build the program into something that’s permanent, has structure and lasts beyond his time in the North.

“I would love [for this program] to be a permanent source of hope and pride in the community,” Woodcock said.

 

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(7) Comments:

  1. Posted by Steven Even on

    It reminds one of Chris Hedges activist and community oriented man, he does the same, teaches in a prision system. The education provided in helping prisioners he finds most rewarding in a country that has 5% of the world population but yet has 25% of the world’s prisioners. For those who may be interested to hear and read of his work search Chris Hedges, a good man that has done much to

  2. Posted by S.E. on

    bring us more a more fair and free society.

  3. Posted by Barrie Brookfield on

    I met Patrick when I was in Iqaluit for business 9 months ago and then again in September. Although he did not know me he offered a lot of help and advice while in the community – super nice guy that would do anything for you. I am sure this generosity is reflected in his work at corrections.

  4. Posted by Patrick Woodcock on

    United for Literacy’s Literacy and Essential Skills program in Iqaluit has been active since 2019. It is funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Skills for Success Program.

    • Posted by Maggie King on

      This sounds like an excellent and much needed program. I spent the last 6 years working in Nunavut–first with Justice in Iqaluit and Pond Inlet and then as the Adult Educator with Nunavut Arctic College in Cambridge Bay. There is a need for more literacy programs all over the territory. And also more digital literacy programs so that Nunavummit can develop the skills they need to join the workforce.

      • Posted by Patrick Woodcock on

        Hi Maggie. I am looking for any advice or guidance in regards to expanding my program within the justice system in Iqaluit. Can I contact you to ask a few questions? If so, how could we go about this?

        • Posted by Maggie King on

          Hi Patrick
          I just saw your message. Yes you can contact me at margaretking220@gmail.com
          I am no longer living in Nunavut but I would be happy to help in any way I can.
          Thanks,
          Maggie

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