A special program of MIT allows inmates to learn IT right in the prison in Washington DC
Rochell Crowder (57 years old) was formerly an office worker, in an era when computers and high technology were not yet developed.
In 2020, Crowder was arrested for armed robbery. During his sentence at the prison, he and about 15 other people signed up for an IT course at the Washington D.C. Special Prison. On September 8, Crowder excellently graduated from the course taught by the instructors themselves. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in class.
Rochell Crowder is extremely proud of his achievements and feels fortunate to have taken this It course.
Warrior behind bars
That was the name of the IT course that Crowder and his fellow prisoners attended.
“Brave Behind Bars” (roughly translated: Warrior behind bars), a course integrated into the universal prison education program. The management hopes the program will help the prisoners reintegrate into the community better later.
A women’s prison in Maine also implemented this IT course.
Students of the “Warrior Behind Bars” course. Photo: New York Times.
Amy Lopez, Deputy Director, who is in charge of managing community reintegration for prisoners shared:
“The IT knowledge that inmates learn will help them get a decent job while out in society.”
This course was actually piloted with inmates in the New England area of the northeastern US with basic programming languages like JavaScript and HTML in the hope that they could land a good paying job. determined upon release from prison.
The program’s leaders said they have contacted and discussed with local universities and companies to grant degrees, and even commit to recruiting students of this course.
The graduation ceremony of the prisoners on September 8 was attended by representatives of many major universities such as Howard, Georgetown, … and representatives of Microsoft.
Sharing about the IT course “Warrior behind bars”, MIT co-founder and graduate student in computer science Martin Nisser said:
“After completing the course, the prisoners may still not be as qualified as those trained in a more professional environment, but at least they have the background knowledge to further develop themselves later. “.
Worthwhile course in the life of prisoners
Sharing about the first time he entered the class, Crowder said he almost did not know how to use a computer, did not know how to save files, rename files, and did not know how to share the screen for presentations. Even, Crowder once intended to give up when he saw the lines of code and did not understand anything.
Those were also the feelings of other inmates during the first session of the course.
Antonio Hawley (19 years old), arrested for participating in a mass shooting in a public place, once attended a computer science course as a child, also felt extremely helpless when he had to absorb a huge amount of knowledge and at the same time. must work with a lawyer on his pending case.
Antonio Hawley and Judge Zia M. Faruqui. Photo: New York Times.
Each week, inmates will have 2 classes with a former student or PhD student from MIT and various teaching assistants from many major organizations and universities. They are the ones who have helped the prisoners who know nothing about IT to successfully graduate from the course on September 8.
Christopher Green (35 years old), a prisoner taking the course presented his project to design a website that helps turn Robert F. Kennedy Stadium into a complex that can combine sports activities. sports, as well as a place for educational and artistic training.
Green said, he will ask his family to frame his graduation certificate as recognition of his efforts and efforts.
Inmates talk about their projects during the graduation ceremony. Photo: New York Times.
As for Crowder, he created a website called “Anonymous Prisoner” to help connect prisoners with each other, from which they can share, confide, and help each other in life after their release. prison.
At the ceremony, many representatives came to congratulate the prisoners on completing the course.
Linda Dolloff, a former prisoner who attended the course and was pardoned, shared:
“It’s great to come here and see my friends talk about their goals in life.”
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Zia M. Faruqui, who brought an IT course to inmates, couldn’t help but be delighted that he could do something useful for society:
“When you come out of prison, be proud of yourself.” he said.
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