Baton Rouge, Louisiana — Law students at Southern University are creating a program to help inmates earn a bachelor’s degree while in prison.

Law students at Southern University take a closer look at the men and women sitting behind the prison. “When you’re in prison, you’re technically locked up, but that doesn’t put limits on your mind. I want one,” explains Keira Johnson, director of the University of Louisiana Prison Project.

Johnson and other students put together the Louisiana College Prison Project to give inmates the opportunity to advance their education while in prison. “We all have our own stories, but it’s no secret that the black community is being affected by mass incarceration at an alarming rate. Many of us have been affected by incarceration. Have decent or direct relatives,” says LCPP vice president Jazzmyn Moultrie.

Moultrie says inmates model their prison projects by looking at other schools, such as Georgetown University, which have had successful educational programs. Moultrie says the goal is to give criminals a chance to earn a bachelor’s degree in the liberal arts. Higher education can be an advantage when they leave the system. “This is a gateway for them. Many of them also have something like an alumni program with a bar initiative project so they can take advantage of that and the resources they are looking to take to the next step. Whether it’s a job or not, some of us have master’s degrees from BPI programs,” Moultrie adds.

The student-led organization is considering three correctional facilities in Louisiana that focus primarily on juveniles. Students and leaders believe the program reduces the likelihood of inmates returning to prison and helps remind them that there is more to life after incarceration.

On Friday, August 26, 2022, Southern University Law Center will screen the documentary College Behind Bars. An information session will be held after the documentary. They are currently looking for teachers interested in joining the program.

For more information please click the following link: https://www.sulc.edu/news/5105

Click here to report typos.

Copyright 2022 WAFB. all rights reserved.