Prison writing workshop helping Indiana inmates make sense of past, plan for future
WRTV s Nicole Griffin reports. Improving self-esteem, accountability and empathy, the Indiana Prison Writers Workshop focuses on helping those who are incarcerated in prisons across the state.
By: WRTV Staff
and last updated 2021-05-13 12:19:55-04
MADISON COUNTY, Ind. â For 11 years, Debra Des Vignes spent her career out in the field in communities across the country as a television news reporter.
Des Vignes main focus was covering crime and courts. She began volunteering inside a correctional facility and noticed the talent and creativity behind the walls. I thought, what a great idea to be able to channel someone s thoughts and make sense of the past and plan for the future, in the form of writing, she said.
Appeals court upholds Muncie man s gun conviction
MUNCIE, Ind. The Indiana Court of Appeals has upheld a Muncie man s gun-related conviction that led to an eight-year prison term.
A Delaware Circuit Court 3 jury in November 2019 found Scott D. Hartman, now 50, guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, a Level 4 felony carrying up to 12 years in prison, and driving while suspended, a misdemeanor.
Judge Linda Ralu Wolf later imposed the eight-year sentence.
Testimony at the trial indicated Hartman had been arrested on June 28, 2019 for driving while suspended after a traffic stop.
A police K-9 indicated there was a controlled substance in the Muncie man s GMC Jimmy. Officers reported finding marijuana, and a rifle Hartman reportedly admitted owning, in the SUV.
December 20, 2020
(GREENCASTLE) – Stephanie Mizelle, TLM Instructor for Oakland City University (OCU) at the Putnamville Correctional Facility (ISF) was recently awarded Employee of the Month honors during a ceremony at the facility.
Ms. Mizelle has been the instructor for the coding program TLM, which stands for The Last Mile, since 2019 and in that time, she has proven herself a key contributor to the success of both the program and the participants. She has been involved in coordinating visits to the program with tech companies, executives and state leaders as well as maintaining updated curriculum and supplemental materials for the students.
During the pandemic, Ms. Mizelle has again stepped up in a big way. She has been volunteering to sub as the instructor for a neighboring facility during staffing shortages and remains vigilant in preparing and distributing materials to her students in their housing units while movement is restricted.