“My Utah State Prison students are the best I have ever taught…they are so dedicated to bettering themselves…it is an amazing experience, meeting and teaching these students.”

It would seem praise can’t come much higher than that offered by Salt Lake Community College Prison Education Program Coordinator, Dr. Chris Bradbury.

But his colleague – PEP English instructor Dr. Darin Jensen – comes close: “These are typically the best students I have all semester. They write more than my on-campus students. Most of them see this program as an important component to their future.”

Earlier this year, 28 students graduated from the program at the Utah State Correctional Facility. The men and women earned associate degrees in anthropology, business, criminal justice and general studies. One of the 28 completed a degree in computer science and information systems.

These students also now have the opportunity to continue on to earn a four-year bachelor’s degree. 

Among the four inmate graduates who spoke during the small ceremony was Melissa Richmond, who shared how earning an education became important to her after she had been stuck in a cycle of addiction and suffering.

“School became my life (in prison),” she said. “It made me realize I have the ability to make great changes in the world. Life is fragile. Things are broken… things are stolen… things get lost – friends, family, homes. Everything can be taken from me – but not my education. I am my education.”

The SLCC Prison Education Program began as a small pilot effort in 2017. It was, and continues to be, funded in part by the Utah State legislature. This past year alone, more than 200 incarcerated students participated in SLCC courses offered at the prison.

According to an Emory University study, prison inmate recidivism dropped by 84% among incarcerated inmates who have earned associate degrees. Other research indicates every dollar spent on prison education eventually saves taxpayers $4 in the cost to reincarcerate them.

More than 40 SLCC instructors teach in the PEP program. Some are part-time employees who only teach there. But most also teach at one of the school’s many campuses throughout the Salt Lake Valley. SLCC’s largest, “main” campus is located in Taylorsville at 4600 South Redwood Road.

Prison Education Program students are required to pay the normal SLCC tuition each semester. However, many of them are eligible for federal Pell grants and other scholarships. 

Utah State Prison inmates are eligible for the program, regardless of the crime they committed to land in jail. However, they have to earn an elevated “inmate privilege status” through the prison in order to enroll.

“There’s a wait list for inmates trying to enter the PEP,” Bradbury said. “Most of the time we offer classes five days a week. We’re also running a 6-class summer program (now). Prison officials are very supportive of what we are doing. We have a strong partnership.” 

“Years ago, when I was with another college, I taught and worked with high school dropouts,” Jensen said. “So when the opportunity came for me (to teach in the PEP), I volunteered. Most of our prison students are in their 30s. They’ve had more time to mature and to better understand the value of an education. The Prison Education Program is a wise investment for the public.” 

Inmate graduate Mauren Wall also spoke during the Utah State Prison graduation: “I truly believe we are our own limitation. The day we recognize this is the day you’ve left all excuses behind.” 

Wall earned an SLCC associate’s degree in business and has been accepted into the University of Utah’s Utah Prison Education Program.

“Honestly, teaching in the Prison Education Program is the most rewarding experience I have ever had in my life,” Bradbury concluded. “Helping these prisoners is so rewarding. It is very emotional watching them graduate. I don’t really view what I do as ‘work.’ I view it as service; and it’s very meaningful.” λ