Dyslexia Behind Bars
Hola Sunday Morning Coffee-ites! I’m getting a late start to my Sunday morning. It’s snowy and cold outside, but warm and cozy inside, so when I woke up, instead of grabbing my laptop and writing, I grabbed a book to go along with my coffee, and guess what? I just read for pleasure for about two hours. Coffee…great novel…two sleeping pups nearby…cozy chair and blanket…life is full of small and wondrous moments!
I’m an avid reader. It’s one of the ways I escape, get inspired, learn new things, connect with others, stay abreast of innovations….and the list goes on. I can’t imagine my life without the joy of reading. But, what if reading was a challenge?
Did you know that nearly half of the incarcerated population may be living with dyslexia? While there’s no single national statistic, studies suggest that 40-50% of incarcerated individuals exhibit characteristics of dyslexia, compared to an estimated 10-15% in the general population. A study conducted in Louisiana prisons, for example, found that 47% of participants were classified as dyslexic. Despite its prevalence, dyslexia often goes undiagnosed, largely due to gaps in early educational screening and support systems.
Dyslexia, a neurological learning difference affecting reading, writing, and spelling, can create profound challenges in both education and daily life. For incarcerated individuals, these challenges can become amplified. Literacy is closely tied to successful rehabilitation and reentry outcomes. Those who struggle with reading often face barriers to completing educational programs, earning diplomas or certifications, and participating in vocational training—critical steps toward reintegration into society.
The Impact of Dyslexia in Correctional Settings
Dyslexia in correctional settings can have a compounding effect on an individual's experience:
Limited Educational Attainment: Many individuals with undiagnosed dyslexia may have left school early due to frustration and failure, often without receiving proper interventions. Once incarcerated, they may be required to engage in literacy programs or GED prep but continue to struggle without targeted support.
Increased Disciplinary Issues: Frustration and low self-esteem stemming from unaddressed dyslexia can manifest in behavioral challenges, further complicating rehabilitation efforts.
Reduced Access to Rehabilitation Programs: Literacy requirements for vocational training or therapeutic programs can exclude those with dyslexia from critical opportunities for personal growth and skill development.
Challenges with Daily Life: Incarcerated individuals with dyslexia may struggle with tasks like reading legal documents, understanding prison regulations, or completing forms—all essential for self-advocacy and personal agency.
Challenges with Reentry: The same struggles with daily life manifest themselves when individuals reenter society. Reading applications, contracts, leases, instructions from supervisors, etc…can all pose significant challenges for successful reentry.
Modern Methods for Mitigating Dyslexia in Corrections
Thankfully, modern strategies and tools are available to support individuals with dyslexia in correctional education settings:
Screening and Early Identification: Implementing standardized screening tools, such as the GORT-5 or DIBELS, during intake can help identify dyslexic learners and provide a foundation for targeted support.
Multisensory Structured Language Education (MSLE): Evidence-based instructional approaches like Orton-Gillingham and Wilson Reading System break down language into manageable components using multisensory techniques that engage sight, sound, and touch (sometime over coffee I can tell you a story about trying to implement the Wilson Reading System in the FBOP. Emphasis on ‘trying’).
Assistive Technology: Tools such as text-to-speech software, audiobooks, and voice recognition technology can empower dyslexic learners to access content more effectively.
Professional Development for Educators: Correctional educators equipped with training in dyslexia interventions can better identify and support struggling readers.
Peer Mentoring Programs: In some facilities, peer mentors are trained to support fellow incarcerated learners, including those with dyslexia, which builds a culture of mutual aid and educational progress.
Universal Design for Learning (UDL): Adopting UDL principles ensures that educational materials are accessible to all learners by providing multiple ways to engage with content, demonstrate knowledge, and participate in learning.
Moving Forward with Compassion and Equity
Addressing dyslexia in correctional education isn’t just about improving literacy—it’s about fostering equity, dignity, and second chances. When we provide the right tools and support, we empower individuals to break cycles of low literacy and justice involvement. Expanding access to dyslexia screening, training for correctional educators, and modern instructional tools can transform lives and, ultimately, build safer, healthier communities.
It’s time to make literacy behind bars a priority. After all, everyone deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed—no matter where they start their journey.
Stay warm my friends. May your Sunday be packed with small, wondrous joys and great coffee.
Cheers!
