Shattering Boundaries
In the heart of New York, the University of Rochester School of Nursing is making a significant impact on the lives of incarcerated individuals through its Rochester Education Justice Initiative (REJI). This initiative, founded in 2015, aims to abolish the prison-industrial complex, redress the impact of its systems, and provide educational opportunities for those currently or formerly incarcerated.
One such opportunity is the Spirituality, Religion, and Health course, administered by SUNY Genesee Community College (GCC) as part of REJI's college-in-prison program. This course, offered to students at Groveland Correctional Facility, resonated deeply with one student, Dylan Colunio.
Dylan chose Kristin Hocker's course as an elective, and it proved to be a transformative experience. The course material, which included the book The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman, helped Dylan understand how to support and communicate with a grieving friend. This newfound understanding was instrumental in Dylan's life, and he credits the college-in-prison program with changing his perspective and helping him maintain a positive outlook.
Kristin Hocker, EdD, an assistant professor of clinical nursing at the University of Rochester School of Nursing, began teaching this course in the spring of 2020. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, she conducted all faculty-student engagements through correspondence, ensuring that the course continued to provide valuable insights to its students.
The impact of this education extends beyond the prison walls. A recent study from New York University's Brennan Center for Justice revealed that people who receive some form of post-secondary education or vocational training while in prison are estimated to have a 12 percent higher chance of finding a job after release, and are less likely to be reincarcerated.
This is evident in Dylan's story. Within days of being released, he landed a full-time job at Hyundai Mobis. His employer even offered him money to go back to school and opportunities for additional training and certifications.
Dylan hopes to inspire others to take classes and seize educational opportunities while incarcerated. He acknowledges the challenges he faced, particularly the anxiety about making up for lost time, but emphasises the life-changing benefits of education.
Kristin Hocker is grateful for the opportunity to support students' educational ventures through the REJI project and hopes to continue teaching with REJI. Last year, REJI was awarded a $1 million grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to provide more academic offerings for both incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals.
Education is a major factor in the successful reintegration of incarcerated individuals into the community and their overall quality of life. As initiatives like REJI continue to grow, we can look forward to a future where education becomes a beacon of hope for those seeking a second chance.
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