Our View

Our View

Inmates making the most of time in prison

Seldom is there anything positive to say about what goes on in our state’s prison but when our governor takes notice and actively participates in recognizing the achievements of over 640 convicted inmates it is certainly deserving or our attention.

We’re all accustomed to hearing stories of bad things occurring behind the walls of these institutions, how inmates can’t be rehabilitated and how these prisoners have no desire to better themselves.

Well, we’re about to dispel these stereotypes. On Tuesday, May 23, scores of relatives as far away as Texas, fellow inmates and featured guest, Gov.

Asa Hutchison, became part of a special ceremony recognizing the achievements of 641 inmates, most of them earning their GEDs, 15 received associate and bachelor’s degrees in biblical studies as part of a program with Central Arkansas Baptist Bible Institute and another inmate who received an associate degree in general studies from Arkansas State University-Newport.

Gov. Hutchinson told the inmates–many transported from prisons across the state–that it was the only invitation to speak to a graduating class that he accepted this year.

In his speech, the governor told the prisoners seated before him in white jumpsuits that the test they had passed is “not your granddaddy’s GED.”

The test includes sections on math, science, social studies, and reasoning through language arts, according to the testing service’s website.

We’re told Arkansas is the only state that holds a single ceremony for prisoners across the system, rather than have separate ones at each unit.

We hear the political rhetoric all the time about what the state needs to do to cut down on recidivism and reduce prison population but, this is the first time we’ve heard where prisoners are taking it upon themselves to change their lives.

The governor told inmates that it is important to him and the state that they have a positive future because of the opportunities provided them.

“I hope that’s what motivates you to learn, as it increases your opportunity when you get out of here,” the governor said.

There is nothing that politicians can do or our prison system has done any more important than seeing these prisoners having the desire to take it upon themselves to change their lives for the good. All the programs and initiatives in the world won’t have as much of an impact on these inmates future than what they have done for themselves.

What also needs to be recognized is that the accomplishments these 641 inmates have achieved will resonate throughout the prison system and encourage other inmates to follow in their footsteps.

We would think that any employer seeking a a new-hire would be more than willing to interview a self-motivated achiever such those recent graduates upon their release.