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On Wednesday, June 29, nine inmates serving 10 or more years walked across the stage at Waupun Correctional Facility as graduates from Trinity International University. Five years ago, Trinity began providing an opportunity for inmates at Waupun to pursue a bachelor\u2019s degree in Biblical Studies with a minor in Psychology.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe goal of the program is to help inmates become agents of change,\u201d says Craig Long, associate dean of Trinity\u2019s extension site at Waupun. This partnership is an extension of Trinity’s mission to educate men and women to engage in God\u2019s redemptive work in the world.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve done studies on programs like this where you see a drop in prison crime rate, riots, and violence. This impacts the community. It impacts them personally. We see the reward right away,\u201d said Trinity International University President Nick Perrin.<\/span><\/p>\n For recent graduate Robert Alexander, this program was an opportunity for redemption, correction, further education and an opportunity to make his family proud. \u201cI\u2019m tired of not making my mama proud,\u201d he said. \u201cI hope I\u2019m an inspiration to my daughters who are in school now. I hope I\u2019m an inspiration for my nephews who are in school now. I hope I\u2019m an inspiration for my sister who is also in school right now.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While the academic expectations and classroom rigor are promised to be equivalent to Trinity\u2019s on-campus experience, <\/span>Alexander took on the challenge. \u201c<\/span>You can’t have correction without having education. It’s impossible,\u201d<\/span> he said. \u201c<\/span>There’s no better thing to do with your time in prison than educate yourself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Alexander has been incarcerated for a string of felonies and won\u2019t be released until 2030, however, he hopes to further his education and <\/span>work to provide counseling to those struggling with alcohol and drugs.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Waupun](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/doetd2kiw\/images\/w_200,h_300,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1702072635\/trinity_newsroom\/IMG_0377\/IMG_0377.jpg?_i=AA\" "\\"Waupun")
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