The Women’s Therapeutic Residential Center (WTRC) in Henning, Tennessee, recently hosted graduation ceremonies for 23 incarcerated women who successfully completed post-secondary education programs.
Among the graduates, eight women received computer information technology certificates from the Tennessee College of Applied Technology. Five were awarded associate degrees in business administration from Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC), and eight earned liberal arts certificates from Rhodes College.
Latest TN News
“We begin preparing inmates for reentry on the day they first come into our custody,” said Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) Commissioner Frank Strada. “More than 200 degrees have been conferred in prisons across the state. This approach improves public safety by giving inmates the skills needed for success and reduces their likelihood of reoffending.”
The TDOC collaborates with 12 colleges and universities to provide a variety of degree programs, including vocational certificates, associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees.
United States Attorney Kevin Ritz, a keynote speaker at the DSCC graduation, emphasized the significance of education during incarceration. “It matters how people spend their time when they are serving a criminal sentence because it can help them avoid appearing in front of a judge in the future,” he said. “This occasion means you all are better prepared to be Tennesseans in our community again. That is a terrific thing that is worthy of celebrating.”
Since its opening in 2016, WTRC has seen 63 inmates receive college degrees or certificates through its educational partnerships.
For photos from the events, click here.
Source: Read Original Release
Tennessee Board to Discuss Tuition Increases
The Tennessee Board of Regents will consider tuition and mandatory fee increases for the 2024-25 academic year at their June 13 meeting, potentially raising costs by 4.88% for technical colleges and 5.2% for community colleges, while maintaining that their institutions are still the most affordable in the state.