Our Vision
To dismantle communication barriers within the justice system, fostering a future where every individual has the verbal and written tools to advocate for themselves and succeed in society.
ABOUT
Our Team and Misson
Beyond the Sentence is more than a literacy program; it is a collaborative effort to dismantle the communication barriers that hold individuals back. By pairing DePaul University’s clinical expertise and evidence-based literacy intervention of Wilson Language Training, we provide intervention that transforms how incarcerated individuals read, speak, and advocate for themselves. We believe that a sentence shouldn't be the end of someone's story—it should be the beginning of a new chapter.
- Who We Are: A collaborative program between DePaul University’s Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) program, Learning By Design, and the Cook County Department of Corrections (CCDoC).
- Our Staff: Services are delivered by DePaul graduate-student clinicians under the direct supervision of Dr. Jessica Wacker.
- Our Commitment: We use culturally responsive and trauma-informed materials to ensure every resident is met with dignity and expertise.
Strategic Benefits:
- Zero Cost: High-quality clinical services at no cost to the facility.
- Recidivism Reduction: Direct correlation between literacy levels and successful reentry.
- Safety & Stability: Improved communication leads to better conflict resolution within the facility.