Here’s the gist of what’s happening with a prayer…

Say hello to 24 game-changing graduates from Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in sunny San Diego, who've turned the big house into a schoolhouse. Thanks to a partnership with Southwestern College and the Restorative Justice Program, these inmates now have associate degrees and are 48% less likely to return to the clink. That's not just good news for them, but also a win for your tax dollars—every buck invested in their education saves four to five in future incarceration costs. So here's to breaking the cycle and hitting the books, because as it turns out, a mind is a terrible thing to incarcerate.

Dear Lord, thank you for the power of second chances and the transformative might of education. Bless these graduates as they turn their tassels and their lives. May they find the strength to break old cycles and the courage to start new chapters, reminding us all that Your grace knows no bounds. Amen.

New Beginnings Behind Bars:
24 Inmates Earn College Degrees in California Program

When you think of graduation ceremonies, your mind probably conjures images of young adults walking across a stage, eager to conquer the world. But this week, the spotlight is on a unique set of graduates: 24 inmates at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, California. Now armed with associate degrees in sociology and liberal arts, these men are proving that it's never too late for a fresh start.

An Unconventional Classroom
The degrees were conferred through a partnership between Southwestern College and the Restorative Justice Program of California. This initiative enables prisoners to receive face-to-face instruction from qualified teachers. For those involved, the concept of "imprisonment" has taken on a new dimension, with education serving as a vessel for change.

Quantifiable Success
Statistics don't lie—or as the Good Book says, "By their fruits you will know them." The Restorative Justice Program, initiated in 2016, has been pivotal in transforming lives. So far, the program has educated more than 1,500 inmates, improving their prospects for successful reintegration into society. According to a study by NBC, individuals who obtain an education while incarcerated are 48% less likely to return to prison.

The Transformative Power of Education
Derek Adams, one of the program's graduates, encapsulated the collective sentiment when he said, "I never had the dreams or aspirations to even think about higher education, so it’s truly an honor to be able to pursue education and find purpose and meaning for my life despite my environment." For Adams, and many like him, these degrees are far more than pieces of paper; they are keys to a new world—a world where hope and opportunity eclipse past mistakes.

Lifting Others Through Education
Raquel Funches, interim director of restorative justice, emphasized the program’s long-term effects on graduates. Nearly all of the 24 newly minted graduates are poised to transfer to four-year degree programs at the University of California Irvine. "Being system-impacted myself, I understand first-hand the importance of the Restorative Justice Program and its power to truly shape the lives of incarcerated individuals seeking to better themselves," said Funches.

Financially Sound, Socially Responsible
Interestingly, education inside prison walls doesn't just improve the prospects for those incarcerated. A 2018 study from the RAND Corporation estimated that for every dollar invested in correctional education programs, four to five dollars are saved on three-year re-incarceration costs. What does that mean? It means those who graduate are less likely to come back to prison, cutting the costs of prisons needing to readmit them into the system.

Changing Tides and Shifting Paradigms
For years, the justice system has been stuck in the mire of ballancing punishment and rehabilitation. This program is a testament to what can happen when we invest in people rather than just confining them. The truth is that the American prison system is far behind other developed countries in rehabilitation and empowering/inspiring inmates to reenter society ready to contribute. This is a moving step in the right direction.

Reflection
The narrative of redemption is a cornerstone of Christian belief. It's told time and again in the pages of Scripture—from the prodigal son to the criminal crucified beside Jesus, who found grace in his final hours. While society may put individuals behind bars, it can't imprison the human spirit, nor can it put a lock on God's grace. These 24 graduates, donning their caps and gowns, stand as living examples of how grace can transform, education can empower, and second chances can bring new beginnings. Colossians 1:21-22 says, “And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him…” Even though we were once hostile to God, He redeemed and restored us. When you treat someone like they have worth, they begin to live in that identity.

Let this be a beautiful reminder for how we interact with people. Do we hold people down in their mistakes, or do we empower them to rise above their past and pave a way for the future!

As Paul once wrote, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17). Amen to that.

Thank you for joining us today on PRAY NEWS. It is our aim to be informed and transformed. We pray today you will proceed with hope, love, and determination to be a force for good.