| This past June eight inmates
received Associates Degrees in General
Studies from the college. This may not seem like a huge
number but if you consider that 70% of the people who enter
ACI are functionally illiterate and 75% have never even
attained a GED you begin to realize how far some of these
young people have come and how serious they are about their
future. In 2010-2011 over
1400 inmates participated in educational programs aimed at
achieving certificates, GED's, and Associates Degrees.
Moreover, eight awarded degrees are three more than the
previous year and six more than the year before that.
And, some will be attending four-year colleges in the
future. One has been accepted at Rhode Island College
and one is working hard to be accepted at Howard University
upon his release in 2012. All of them have plans to
pursue productive careers upon their release from ACI. And,
their commitment and the achievement of the degrees
demonstrates to both themselves and others that despite
their backgrounds they are capable of success.
It is the fact that 95% of all ACI
inmates will eventually be released back into their
communities. We know that many if not most will be
unable to break away from their histories of crime, drugs,
and poverty. But, prison and state officials are
confident that an increasing number of inmates will take
advantage of the education programs and more students will
be successful in the long run. So far, the data
supports the hopes. More and more inmates are taking
advantage of the program and more are earning certificates
and degrees.
Project Book plays a small role in
this worthy endeavor. It helps provide some of the
books required in the degree program. Unfortunately,
there is insufficient money available to purchase books for
all students who would like to participate so too many
inmates are deprived of the opportunity to earn an
Associates Degree. With more book donations we can raise
more funds to purchase more books which will enable more
inmates to participate and learn their Associates Degrees |
