White House Author

Brian Walsh leads the offender education program for Peninsula College at two state prisons in the northwest corner of Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula. Brian believes that by providing quality college education, offenders will be less likely to return to prison and be better prepared to care for themselves and their families. As Education Director for Clallam Bay and Olympic Corrections Centers, Brian started the first prison-based Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (IBEST) program, a nationally recognized curriculum for adult education in Washington State. He began five new vocational programs including: Sustainable Horticulture, Artisan Baking, Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Green Building, and Computer Programing and Game Development. He has led the effort to expand the use of technology in the prison classroom. Brian has worked to develop secure ways for faculty within prisons to deliver offenders the same technologically enhanced courses available to the public. Also, while raising three sons, Brian and his wife own and operate an independent school serving students pre-K through Grade 8. He received a Bachelor’s degree from Ripon College and, while serving as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar, a Master’s degree from the University of Wales.