The Massachusetts Department of Correction and Boston College Celebrate First Graduates from Prison Education Program (original) (raw)
Shirley — The Massachusetts Department of Correction and Boston College proudly announce the graduation of the first class of students from the Boston College Prison Education Program. This nationally renowned program allows incarcerated individuals to pursue a college degree while serving their sentences at MCI-Shirley, a medium-security facility. This momentous achievement reflects the meaningful impact of a strong partnership, and an innovative collaboration designed to advance shared values of educational equity, second chances, and rehabilitation.
The inaugural graduation ceremony, held at MCI-Shirley on September 23rd, celebrated the academic accomplishments of the first three incarcerated students to successfully earn their bachelor’s degrees in Applied Liberal Arts. As the largest higher education in-prison program in Massachusetts, the BCPEP has admitted over 80 incarcerated students into its program since its inception in 2019. The ceremony was attended by faculty members, DOC officials, family members, and special guests, all gathered to honor the hard work, perseverance, and dedication of these graduates.
“Today’s graduation is a testament to the power of education to transform lives. These students have shown resilience and intellectual curiosity, proving that with the right support, everyone has the potential to succeed, regardless of their circumstances. We are grateful to Boston College and all the DOC’s education partners for their collaboration and dedication to this transformative program,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy.
“Research has consistently shown that incarcerated individuals who pursue higher education are less likely to re-offend, and more likely to reintegrate successfully into society. Our degree focuses on offering formative educational experiences that provide tangible career skills and humanistic learning experiences that help cultivate personal development and growth,” said BCPEP Program Director Patrick Conway. “Boston College’s partnership with the DOC is designed to educate and empower these individuals to build better futures for themselves and their communities. We look forward to continuing to make a positive impact on the lives of our students and helping to rethink and reimagine the role of education in prisons.”
“I want to congratulate Boston College for this amazing milestone and thank them for their investment in the DOC and the futures of our incarcerated individuals,” said Interim DOC Commissioner Shawn Jenkins. “These partnerships and opportunities prepare our individuals for reentry into their communities and equip them with a vital educational tool to succeed.”
“This program is a shining example of how correctional institutions can partner with academic institutions to create meaningful opportunities for incarcerated individuals. It aligns with the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s commitment to rehabilitation and reentry support, giving these graduates a chance to redefine their lives,” said Public Safety and Security Undersecretary of Criminal Justice Andrew Peck.
The Boston College Prison Education Program was established five years ago as a response to the growing recognition of education as a vital tool for rehabilitation and recidivism reduction. The program, offered at no cost to incarcerated individuals, provides a rigorous liberal arts curriculum, mirroring the high academic standards of Boston College’s on-campus programs. The higher education initiative delivers over 25 courses taught by Boston College faculty, and students are provided with access to library resources and academic support to ensure their success.
Through the BCPEP program, students take approximately 10 hours of classes with college faculty each week, attend office hours and tutoring sessions, complete assignments and group projects, and participate in extracurricular activities. The students earn credits toward the Applied Liberal Arts bachelor's degree and have access to more than 25 courses taught by about 40 Boston College faculty members.
BCPEP students learn through discussion-based and intensive writing courses. The Boston College faculty emphasizes critical thinking and encourages insightful discussions. Since 2019, the BCPEP has grown from offering three classes in introductory philosophy, algebra and writing to a now more than 50-course catalog that mirrors the Woods College Applied Liberal Arts curriculum. The BCPEP curriculum includes courses in public speaking, college writing, history, astronomy, architecture, strategic leadership, philosophy, business and global literature.
Ten students, who were released from DOC custody since beginning the program inside MCI-Shirley, are continuing their education at Boston College’s Woods College of Advancing Studies.
As part of its commitment to advance rehabilitation and recidivism reduction, the DOC implements evidence-based programming and fosters strategic partnerships. Those educational initiatives and programs include, but are not limited to:
- Educational Programming: Educators within the Department and from external institutions of higher education, including MIT, Boston University, Boston College, Tufts University, and Mount Wachusett Community College, provide students with the opportunity to earn their HiSet, academic certificates, and Bachelor’s Degrees. The DOC is operating classes at full capacity and is continuously creating new educational opportunities to provide incarcerated learners with additional educational programming at all levels.
- In-Demand Job Skill Training: Vocational instructors equip students with skills in computer coding (i.e., the Last Mile), metal fabrication, printing operations, computer aided design, optical, barbering, Culinary Arts, ServSafe, diesel mechanic, small engine repair and other employable skills.
- Tablets: The DOC implements an innovative tablet program that equips incarcerated individuals with personalized electronic devices for convenient access to a wide range of online courses to accelerate education, job skill training, and self-improvement programs. In 2023, a preliminary analysis of tablet use at DOC facilities showed that nearly 5,000 incarcerated individuals accessed more than 252,000 hours content and took part in more than 1,150 virtual classrooms.
About Boston College Prison Education Program
Founded in 2019, the Boston College Prison Education Program (BCPEP) has quickly grown to become one of the country’s leading higher education in-prison programs. The Boston College Prison Education Program is an Applied Liberal Arts BA program serving incarcerated students at a medium-security prison in Shirley, MA. As the largest higher education in-prison program in Massachusetts, we have admitted over 80 students into our program. We are committed to serving the academic and career objectives of our students, prioritizing a humanistic, formative approach to teaching, learning, community building, and student development. The BCPEP is also a member of the Bard Prison Initiative Consortium for the Liberal Arts in Prison.