Spring 2021: All Things Prison Braille

Presented by: Jayma Hawkins

Date: 05/07/2021

This is a general information session discussing the process of setting up a prison braille program as well as the impact that prison braille programs have on the education of braille reading students across the United States. Jayma Hawkins is the National Prison Braille Network Senior Director at the American Printing House. Jayma has been a NLS Certified Transcriber since 2002, and has a UEB Letter of Proficiency. Jayma holds a Bachelor of Science degree in the Administration of Justice from Eastern Kentucky University. Her current role at APH is to support the transcription program at the Kentucky Correctional Institute for Women, support and coordinate the new Perkins Braille Writer Repair Program at Luther Luckett Correctional Complex for Men. Jayma also serves as a transition specialist with the Braille Transcriber Apprentice Program for APH. Jayma works with ex-offenders from across the United States in successful re-entry into society while overseeing the training process that provides skills to be a successful transcriber outside of prison. Jayma guides states to begin prison braille programs by working with vision agencies and state Departments of Corrections bringing the two agencies together, sharing information and securing funding to implement programs. Jayma is a member of the California Transcribers and Educators for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CTEBVI), and occupies a Prison Braille seat on their board of directors and is a member of the National Braille Association (NBA). She is also a member of the National Correctional Industries Association (NCIA).