MEDIA, PA — Sixteen students, including eight from Penn State Brandywine and eight incarcerated individuals, graduated from the George W. Hill Correctional Facility’s “Inside Out” program on November 28. The graduation ceremony marked the end of a semester-long project that brought together “inside” students from the correctional facility and “outside” students from Penn State.
Over the course of the 13-week semester, students honed their public speaking skills and challenged preconceived notions about the criminal justice system. The program, known for its transformative impact, promotes diversity in age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and gender within the classroom, encouraging learners to recognize their potential.
The Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program, which began at Temple University in 1997, has since expanded nationwide. George W. Hill Correctional Facility first participated in the program last year. After a successful run in the fall of 2022, the course was offered again in the fall 2023 semester.
The closing ceremony featured speeches prepared by the students and reflections on the program. Each graduate received a certificate of completion. Attendees included Brandywine’s Chancellor Marilyn J. Wells, Director of Development Patton Vo, Interim Director of Academic Affairs Jen Nesbitt, Prison Warden Laura Williams, and the prison’s Reentry and Program Administrator Kelly Shaw.
Chancellor Wells said, “‘We are a community of people learning,’ is a sentiment that resonates with me. The Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program exemplifies this. When you consider the collaboration between Delaware County, the George W. Hill Correctional Facility, the Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program, and Penn State Brandywine, it’s truly a testament to our shared commitment to learning.”
In recent years, Delaware County has been working towards changing its approach to public safety and reducing recidivism. In 2022, the county reassumed control of the George W. Hill Correctional Facility, eliminating the profit motive around incarceration and investing in the long-term well-being of its residents. Nearly all individuals held at this local jail are either awaiting court hearings or serving sentences of less than two years for minor, non-violent offenses. With as many as 60 percent of inmates being recidivists, programs like “Inside Out” play a crucial role in preparing incarcerated individuals for reentry into the community.
Prison Warden Williams commented, “Programs like ‘Inside Out’ not only equip incarcerated individuals with skills for their return to the community but also facilitate transformative learning experiences that foster collaboration and dialogue for people both inside and outside of prison.”
For more information about the Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program, visit www.insideoutcenter.org.
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