Volunteering Inside a Portuguese Correctional Facility

Global Volunteers, in partnership with the Municipality of Beja, Portugal, supports a unique initiative that is transforming lives behind bars through the power of education. This work project, set in a region where tourism is a vital industry and English proficiency is a gateway to employment, focuses on reducing recidivism by equipping inmates with essential language skills. Volunteers along with dedicated local teachers offer English lessons that open new doors for those serving time. With classes ranging from basic to intermediate levels, the work project is a voluntary yet deeply motivating opportunity for inmates, providing the chance to earn certificates and achieve sentence reductions with their effort and progress. Read on reflections of volunteers who recently served in Portugal and worked closely with the inmates.

Entering the correctional facility for the first time is a powerful experience for many volunteers. Scott Deppe, a retiree and four-time alumnus volunteer, recalled his arrival with a sense of optimism, “After a brisk walk, we arrived slightly early for our first assignment. We were off to a great start! Paula, our host teacher, led us through the check-in procedures, where our personal items were placed in a locker, and our passports were held until our departure. Her pleasant demeanor and wit made us feel welcome!”

Julie Scott, a 16-time alumna volunteer, candidly described her initial feelings while entering the facility “It surprised me that my stomach felt jittery as I entered the prison through the passage of locking gates. Although I had worked with formerly incarcerated people in New York City, helping them to re-enter the workforce, I had never been in a prison. I wondered what this feeling in my stomach was. I wasn’t afraid of the people living here. I had come to know and feel compassion for several people who had served time in prison. It was the feeling of entering a place that locked me in that made me feel uneasy.”

*Volunteer Julie Scott with local teacher Paula outside the correctional facility in Beja, Portugal.*

Scott soon felt a sense of orientation as Paula guided them through a brief tour of the prison, showcasing “the hallway overlooking the yard, the library, three very nice classrooms, and the solitary confinement.” “As the students entered the secondary level class, they each shook hands and were very polite. I didn’t know what to expect, but I knew this wasn’t what I anticipated! I immediately felt comfortable and knew whatever we did would be appreciated,” said Scott. While Julie’s unease quickly turned to enthusiasm as she engaged with the inmates and found warmth and connection inside the classroom.

“I immediately felt comfortable and knew whatever we did would be appreciated.”
Scott Deppe

With tourism being a major industry in the region, English proficiency is often a key requirement for employment. To support the inmates, volunteers help inmates improve their conversational English skills. Each session typically hosts between 10 and 20 inmates who participate voluntarily. Volunteers work with different groups of students, ranging from beginners to those with more advanced English skills. Lessons are conducted in a lecture format, where volunteers often share their personal stories or present teaching materials. This is followed by a dynamic question-and-answer session, encouraging active engagement and conversation practice.

“I prepared a PowerPoint presentation on New York City, with a special focus on sports,” shared Julie. “The students were very engaged in this topic and already knew a lot of vocabulary that I thought they might not know – such as helmets and uniforms. They were familiar with Serena Williams, and one young man was clearly smitten.” In return, the students also created PowerPoint presentations to introduce themselves. Julie was impressed by the professionalism and pride displayed by the students in their presentations about Portugal and the Alentejo region. Antonio, a young inmate, passionately shared details about the cork industry, a local specialty, while others introduced themselves and spoke with pride about their past lives, “One man, who appeared to be in his sixties, was very proud of the restaurant he had owned on the coast and hopes to go back to,” the volunteer recounted. “He said twice, sorrowfully, ‘I had a great restaurant, and I made a mistake.'”

During one of his presentations, Scott found himself engaging in lively exchanges about music, culture, and Minnesota’s lakes, bridging gaps through a shared love of music. “The students seemed quite interested, with more than a few nods and smiles throughout my presentation. Jujo, who is 47, was quick to smile and proudly showed his DOORS tattoo on his forearm when I mentioned that I taught music and band. He lit up, and I felt an immediate bond through the universal language of music.” The students and Paula also shared a presentation on the Alentejo region.Alentejo is known for its rolling plains, rich cultural heritage, renowned wines, traditional acapella singing, and the world’s largest cork forests, embodies the rustic charm and deep-rooted traditions of Portugal.”The highlight of my day was when they played a video on Cante, the traditional singing style of the Alentejo. As the video played, the students began to sing along, swaying back and forth to their regional hymn.”

The experiences of volunteers like Scott and Julie offer a profound glimpse into the transformative power of human connection, even within the walls of a correctional facility. Both volunteers quickly discovered the warmth, resilience, and eagerness of the inmates to learn and share. These encounters highlight the commitment to rehabilitation, where education is not just a tool for learning English but a bridge to a future filled with possibility. Teaching conversational English in the local prison in Beja is about far more than language lessons—it’s about building bridges, creating opportunities, and offering second chances, one lesson at a time. Through this program, both volunteers and inmates are reminded of the potential for positive change, the importance of empathy, and the shared humanity that unites us all.