by Lexi Aggen
What could bring Dr. Seuss, a special cake, and graduation gowns to prison?
“Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!”
—Oh the Places You’ll Go, Dr. Seuss
The weather was brisk and chilly. The winter sun had fallen hours before, leaving the outside world in darkness. But inside, squeals and shouts of excitement reverberated throughout the florescent lit cellblock that houses programming at Minnesota Correctional Facility—Shakopee. The source of the excitement originated from the participants of the Prison Fellowship Academy®. It was the night before graduation, and royal blue graduation robes were being handed out to the 13 women of class 35.
The Academy is a yearlong journey of transformation and healing that takes participants through biblically based curriculum with the help of compassionate coaches. The Academy launched at the Shakopee unit in 2007. At that time, it was the only women’s Academy offered by Prison Fellowship®.
A WHIMSICAL TRADITION
This was the first time since the program’s launch at Shakopee that the graduates would wear robes. It was also the first time some participants would ever don a cap and gown. Amid the buzz and excitement, a few tears were shed. That was the night of December 18, and the festivities were just beginning.
Early the next morning, the women gathered to read speeches. The official ceremony wouldn’t start for another two hours, but the program manager, Pamela Rubash, knew not all participants would get a chance to speak during the event. As a result, a new tradition had emerged at the Shakopee unit: The graduates meet before the ceremony, and each has an opportunity to give a speech.
It was clear that public speaking was a nerve-wracking experience for many of the women. A shaky start was no indicator of the ending though—as each participant spoke, a strength developed in her tone. Just like the Academy taught, each participant soon overcame her fears and shame to become something new. Pamela then closed the pre-graduation tradition by pulling out her copy of Dr. Suess’ Oh the Places You’ll Go for a reading.
“We talk about a lot of hard things in the Academy,” says Pamela. “We are pulling tons of band-aids off and cleaning out old wounds. It is often painful, and it is hard work. Within the Dr. Seuss book is a little bit of whimsy and a little bit of levity and lightness that allows us to laugh after the tears of those speeches.”
A DEFINING MOMENT
The official ceremony began at 1 p.m. in the visitation room. Guests arrived in staggered shifts to allow for them to get through security. The 110 attendees included family members, volunteers, prospective Academy participants, DOC staff, and the warden of the facility, Guy Bosch. Some staff had even received special invitations from participants whom they had impacted during their time in the Academy. In a culture of “us vs. them,” the Academy breaks down barriers to create bridges where none had otherwise existed.
The traditional Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 played as the 13 women stepped out to open the ceremony. After the participants took their seats, Pamela greeted the audience and gave a brief introduction to the day. Guy Bosch then came to the podium and congratulated the women for completing the Academy.
Two graduates, Stephanie and Jenny, were then welcomed to the podium to share their experiences of the Academy with the audience. They both took the opportunity to thank the volunteers who made the experience what it was: one of hope.
To close out the speeches, Cody Wilde, vice president of correctional programs at Prison Fellowship, spoke. His soft voice filled the room, bringing all hearts to attention.
And then came the moment everyone was waiting for: The 13 graduates stood up together, and the first name was called. Cheers erupted as the first graduate stepped forward to receive her certificate. Many volunteers filled the room, standing in place of family who couldn’t attend. And yet, over the course of the program, the volunteers and participants had formed a new family. And as each woman walked forward to receive her certificate, she had the backing of those who believed in her.
CLOSING REMARKS
To close out the ceremony, one participant named Legend sang A Prayer by Andrea Bocelli. It was yet another moment earned over the hard year of self-reflection and development. After the ceremony concluded, the family and guests shared carrot cake and peanut butter chocolate chip cookies made by special request for the event.
Although the class has graduated, their legacy lives on in the 33 participants who are now enrolled in class 36. Eight of the women who graduated stayed on as mentors for the new class and are inspiring hope in those who are currently on their journey.
After the ceremony, some of the graduates had a chance to reflect on the past year. Here’s what they thought:
- “I’m not the same person I was a year ago. My motivation changed from a focus on myself to wanting to share with others what I’ve learned, even outside [the Academy].”
- “I enjoyed every moment of the last year, even the hard days. I learned to love myself and how to fix broken relationships that are worth fixing.”
- “I have confidence in my identity and what I want in life now. I gained boundaries and a sense of my self-worth. I have gained self-compassion, self-forgiveness, self-understanding, and self-awareness.”
- “I found the hope that was lost after my sister passed away, and [now I have] learned everyday life skills that I wish I would have learned so long ago.”
- “I learned to be less judgmental, more open-minded, and comfortable with myself and others. I’ve never had a community, but even with occasional drama, these women have become a sisterhood.”
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD
When terms of community supervision are unjustly long, or conditions are too restrictive, we waste human potential, perpetuate the cycle of crime, and erode family stability. Act now and ask your governor to make community supervision more effective.
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