Miami Dade College helping empower prisoners with opportunity to earn college degree

MIAMI – Miami Dade College builds a pathway from jail.  An inaugural program they administer provides incarcerated people at Everglades Correctional Institution the opportunity to earn a college degree.

“The biggest thing is it empowers our students,” stated Samantha Carlo, an affiliate professor senior at MDC School of Justice.  “For the first time, for some decades, finally feeling some self-worth.”

Students obtained their affiliate in arts degree on Tuesday evening in a commencement ceremony on the correctional facility.  The college students introduced Carlo with a present on the ceremony, expressing appreciation for the opportunity.

Carlo says college students obtain a “robust” liberal arts training in an 18-month, five-semester program.

“We think everyone is worthy of an education,” added Carlo.

A Vera Institute of Justice examine reveals that incarcerated individuals who take part in such packages are 48% much less probably to re-offend than those that don’t. Fewer crimes imply fewer victims and safer communities.

“We must be excellent because of what it means to our community, how it matters to our family,” stated Thomas Daugherty, commencement class speaker. “And matters to the people around us that we love most.

He has been incarcerated since he was 17.

“First evening, it was tough,” said a tearful Daugherty.  “You knew you had to maintain going.”

He and two different teenagers killed a homeless man in 2006 with a baseball bat.  The crime obtained nationwide consideration.  His unique sentence was life behind bars.  After the supreme courtroom dominated juveniles could not be sentenced to life, Daughtery’s revised sentence ends in 2027.

And he’ll go away as an impressed college grad.

“To better the world around us,” stated Daugherty. 

In January 2021, Daugherty’s inaugural was admitted into the Second Chance Pell Experiment funded by the U.S. Department of Education.  The grant helps assist their enrollment.  Miami Dade College runs this system they’re in at Everglades Correctional Institution.

Christian Echevarria was seen diligently taking notes in entrance of the category on a Thursday earlier than finals.  The South Florida native was 15 years previous when he entered the jail system.

“Prior to coming to prison, I was a gifted student, advancement placement, IQ of 130,” stated Echevarria.  “You name it; I had it.  I had a way out.  I lost the struggle.”

He has spent 23 years behind bars for a second-degree homicide conviction.  Years handed earlier than understanding the load of his actions and following the improper crowd.

“All the wrong I’ve done hit me in one moment,” stated Echevarria.

A second reworked to pursue larger studying.

“I finally feel like a human being,” added Echevarria.

Stanely Stovall’s certainly one of 17 college students to stroll throughout the stage with a degree earned from this system. 

“This intellectual journey and stuff I’m learning is touching to me,” stated Stovall.  “It’s touching my heart.”

The 65-year-old has been out and in of the system his complete grownup life — crimes starting from grand theft to housebreaking with a gun. 

His household evokes him to develop, like this data plant that sits above his desk.  An homage to his mom and future aspirations to turn into a Ph.D.

“When I brought him in there, he only had two leaves,” stated Stovall.  “Now he has four.  He’s prospering.  And that’s what I want to do, prosper.”

Stovall’s present launch date is in 2028.

The college students are the primary group to begin and full this Miami Dade College program at Everglades Correctional.  All have been accepted and enrolled within the bachelor’s program at MDC.  They shall be majoring in enterprise administration – supervision and administration.

Vera Institute of Justice report states each greenback invested in prison-based training yields $4 to $5 in taxpayer financial savings from diminished prices.