Prisoners Education Network

Board Members:

Carol Estes - Co Founder - President Contact


Carol is cofounder of the Prisoners Education Network and director of its higher education program, University Behind Bars. An award-winning writer and editor, she has taught writing and literature courses at the University of Kansas and Viterbo College in Wisconsin. For the last nine years, she has taught college classes at Washington State Reformatory. And from January to April, when the state legislature is in session, Estes also works as the policy advocate and legislative analyst for the Friends Committee on Washington Public Policy, a statewide Quaker organization that advocates for criminal justice reform.

Gary Idleburg - Co Founder - Vice President Contact


Gary is co-founder of the Prisoners Education Network and teaches the African American History course for University Behind Bars at the Washington State Reformatory in Monroe, WA. Gary is the host of America's Disappeared radio show on KSER 90.7fm.
Gary has a B.S. in Geography from the University of Wisconsin and a Masters in City Planning from Boston University. He currently works as an urban planner for a municipality in Washington State.

Suzanne Gordon - Treasurer Contact


Suzanne brings a diverse background that includes small business administration/bookkeeping, teaching English as a Second Language, photography, organic gardening & landscaping, and house painting and repair.
She graduated with a BA in Graphic Communications from Eastern Washington University in the mid eighties, has been certified by STESL to teach ESL, and is also an Ayurvedic (East Indian system of medicine) health consultant.
She is an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Ballard, working with the Saturday Soup Kitchen, developing worship and sings with the Edna Harper Chaotic String Band.

My-Lan Dodd - Secretary Contact


My-Lan grew up in Seattle and graduated from Garfield High School. She studied Sociology and International Studies at UC Berkeley and completed an AmeriCorps term at Seattle Community Court before volunteering with the Prisoners Education Network.

Cammie Carl - Board Member



Harriet Stephenson - Board Member