In caps, gowns, and perhaps even ‘blues,' 9 inmates at Walker State Prison in Georgia are set to receive their associates degrees for 60 credit hours of coursework done while incarcerated.

3 are graduating with highest honors (3.9 – 4.0 GPA) while the other 6 are gradutaing with high honors (3.7 – 3.89).

Organized by Geogria State University as part of their Prison Education Project, the courses included a variety of subjects such as environmental science, English, philosophy and ethics, and geology.

The GSUPEP program began in 2016 and offers college courses at Walker State Prison and Phillips State in Buford and is currently offering enrichment courses at the federal U.S. Penitentiary in Atlanta.

By 2025, GSU would like to offer the PEP associates degree in five other Georgia penitentiaries.

"Not only have these students demonstrated that they are critical thinkers by completing a degree, but they've also shown tremendous character to seek education and follow it through to the end," said President Blake. "The degree they rightfully earned can never be taken away."

50 other students are already in the pipeline, something which Patrick Rodriguez, director of the PEP says will reduce the chances they will end up incarcerated again.

"I believe that we can serve all facilities here in the State of Georgia to begin reducing our incarceration numbers and the amount of people on probation and parole," he told local news.

For most of the students in the program, the education they received is the first time they've earned a degree.

"I learned several things about myself throughout the course of completing this degree, but the most important to me is that I do have worthwhile thoughts, ideas and insights," one new graduate said.

"My long-term goal is to use the skills I've learned and developed to make positive and meaningful contributions to humanity. My immediate goals are to help others reach their education goals and to help them learn how to make better decisions."

Indeed, education is one of the best tools for reducing recidivism.

"This has given me a passion for learning," said another student. "I never knew why someone would want to become a teacher, but I see how good it is to give back and now I get it."

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