Beckley Criminology Class Holds Book Drive

“Imagine being confined to small areas, little outdoor time, no cellphone or internet privileges, phone calls and visits only if your family bothers,” describes Lori Pace, instructor of Sociology. Last month, her Criminology students toured Gene Spadaro, a juvenile correctional facility in Mount Hope, under the state of West Virginia Division of Juvenile Services.

    After their tour, Pace’s students voted to have a book collection for reading levels 5th grade through adult. Until the end of the semester, they are holding a book drive for books that are new or used, to donate for the juveniles in Gene Spadaro. The offenders are from 12 to 18 years old. “This level of incarceration is in part to deter youthful offenders from committing further criminal acts, and we learned it is a hard-time with few privileges,” states Pace.

    Pace and her students learned from Lt. Dejarnette that many of the teens that are in juvenile correction centers usually do not have a family foundation and have often been victims of violence or sexual assault. “While we toured, Case Manager Beverly Sangera, a Concord University alumna, showed us the recreation gym, the education center, the housing area, laundry, kitchen, administrative, and security areas of this smaller facility that can house up to 25 males and females,” states Pace.

    Cassidy McCoy, senior at Concord University, states that the tour of the prison was interesting overall. “I expected it to be more prison like and it seemed more mild than that, [but] it still had a lot of security though. Knowing that the kids there were actual criminals and not status offenders made it seem very real and makes you a little nervous,” she states.

    When they were there, something stood out to Pace. “... Although they have a room designated for a library, there were not many books. Sometimes seeing and hearing a situational need is compelling,” she states. This is what lead them to hold the book drive. She goes on to state that on some level, punishment is necessary; however, these young people will go back into society. “I’d rather they have the possibility of better choices, of knowing there are those in the community who care. All my students had at least one favorite book they could remember and we agreed that the power of a good story can inspire human potential and imagination,” she says.

    McCoy states that when she reads books, she feels relaxed. She goes on to say, “Maybe if a good book could do that for one of the kids, it could make a world of difference in their behavior. Also, some children that come through there are nearly illiterate and I think having something they could practice with and learn with, could mean a lot to their self-esteem.”

    Not only will they just be donating books, but they will always be donating a $100 gift card. “We also decided to use some of our fundraising to donate a $100 gift card that Ms. Sanger can use for a pizza party and all of the necessary supplies. While it might sound funny to offer a pizza party to offenders who have committed crimes, remember these are still young people and this can be used as a behavioral management reward.”

    Their goal is to have multiple boxes of books to donate so that they can fill some of the library. If you are interested in donating, there is a collection box at the Concord University Administrative office at the Erma Byrd Higher Education Center or you can email her at lpace@concord.edu.