OCJLP

The Ozaukee County Jail Literacy Program, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit literacy organization founded in 1992 by former Milwaukee Area Technical College teacher Nina Walker. April 8, 2026 marks the programs 34th anniversary.

The program’s mission is to provide meaningful educational opportunities to incarcerated adults through compassionate delivery of services and community support in a secular, non-discriminatory educational environment. We believe education is a transformative tool that restores dignity, opens doors, and builds brighter futures.

The OCJLP was the first private agency in Wisconsin to provide education at the jail level. Privately funded through grants and donations, the program operates without taxpayer support—relying instead on the generosity of individuals, businesses, and foundations committed to making a lasting difference.

Thirty years after our inception, our vision remains the same as it was when we started, but so much has changed. The scope and impact of our work have grown tremendously; we take pride in the progress we’ve made and the lives we’ve helped transform.

Our numbers tell an incredible story:
– 30-40 students served annually
– 1,200 students have received foundational skills in literacy, employment training and personal development
– 392 students have earned their GED or HSED certificates, setting them on a new path forward

Providing OCJLP students with education and personal and employment skills positively impacts them, their families and our community and ultimately reduces recidivism. From 2022 through 2025, approximately 97% of OCJLP graduates did not recidivate, demonstrating a strong post-program success rate well below the national average, where roughly 70% of inmates are re-arrested.

OCJLPs success is made possible through the enthusiasm and dedication of teachers, officers, directors and the generous support from individuals and businesses throughout the community. Together, we are creating real change—one student at a time.