Published: July 07, 2009 06:47 pm         

152 graduate at ceremony at prison

Carlisle — Graduates graced the stage at the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility on June 25. More than 100 family, friends and facility staff attended the ceremony in the facilities gymnasium. The traditional graduation celebration included caps and gowns as well as the turning of the tassels for the 152 graduates.

Randy Koester, deputy commissioner of re-entry, spoke to the graduates about measurable goals and their individual responsibilities to their families and to the community. The keynote speaker was Harriet Hudson, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences from Indiana State University.

College degrees include a two- and four-year general studies degree from Indiana State University, Grace Bible College offers a 2-year degree in Biblical studies and a 4-year business degree. Ivy Tech Community College offers a 2-year degree in substance abuse counseling. Students must secure a grant to attend college, either an Indiana State Higher Education Grant or from the private college, a Freedom of Choice Grant, or be self-funded.

The first college graduates at the facility were in the class of 1996; with the graduating class on Thursday, the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility has now graduated more than 2,000 offenders.

Educational programs offer a time-cut for offenders; up to 4 years of prison time can be subtracted from actual time spent behind bars. Studies have shown that educated offenders are less likely to return to crime.

Assistant Superintendent of Re-Entry Jack Hendrix stated that education is an integral part of an offender’s successful re-entry and the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility offers academic opportunities to the offender population in a cost-efficient manner. By focusing on vital programs, such as education, the DOC gives offenders the tools to break down the barriers to re-entry while still promoting public safety.