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Erin Tennant
Denis Martinez, right, graduates as class valedictorian from maximum-security prison Sing Sing's college program.
Editor's note: A correction has been made to this story.
NEW YORK -- Denis Martinez was a bright young man of 19 with a short fuse and a strong streak of machismo when he shot his victim twice with a revolver after an argument one summer night in The Bronx in 2004.
His victim, Rodolfo Checo, was seriously wounded and became paralyzed from the waist down. Martinez paid the price for his impulsive violence, landing in New York’s notorious Sing Sing maximum-security prison after being convicted of first-degree assault and being sentenced to 13 years behind bars.
Having seen his hopes and dreams evaporate in an instant, Martinez decided he needed to change and set his mind on college. He soon discovered that he didn’t need to wait until he had served his time. He just enrolled at Sing Sing.
“After you realize you have all this time, you think: 'How can I make my time count?’” Martinez said. “Am I going to leave this place the same person as I went in?”
On Wednesday night, Martinez took his first step toward rebuilding his life, graduating as class valedictorian with a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science after a grueling 4½ years of study.
“One of the only things available to me is my books,” Martinez, now 27, told msnbc.com. “I don’t have anything you could call a social life, so I could give this degree my all.”
Martinez was one of 20 inmate graduates who donned academic gowns and paraded single-file into the large visitors room as the Sing Sing jazz band played “Pomp and Circumstance” and the audience of 300-plus family, friends and prison officials stood up from their plastic chairs and applauded.
Sing Sing’s college program currently has enrolled 84 inmates out of a prison population of about 1,700. The program is organized and funded by Hudson Link, a nonprofit set up a few years after state and federal funding for higher education in prisons stopped. It runs programs at four correctional facilities in New York, hiring professors from New York’s Mercy College to teach the students at Sing Sing.
While the statewide recidivism rate among offenders is 40 percent, not one of the 81 Hudson Link graduates who have been released from prison has been convicted of a crime, according to CEO Sean Pica. (A further 179 graduates are still incarcerated).
To graduate, Martinez and his classmates attended four two-hour evening classes each week inside the prison’s education building per semester. They had access to donated academic journals and magazines, textbooks and 20 computer terminals, two of which have servers with encyclopedias. Internet access is banned.
Martinez said he also studied each day inside his single-bunk cell, with its toilet and basin and window partly overlooking the Hudson River.
Martinez said that he never lacked academic ability and obtained his GED when he was 17. But he said he was “never good at school discipline -- I wasn’t big on doing homework."
Prison changed that.
“Once I go outside, the odds are stacked against me in the job market. I’m labeled an ex-con,” he said. “A degree will give me something to show for my time.”
Checo, the man whom Martinez shot in 2004, could not be reached for comment on his attacker’s achievement.
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But Dan Levey, executive director of the National Organization of Parents of Murdered Children, said he wished victims were given the same attention and opportunities as Martinez has had.
"It's a shame that family members and survivors of homicide don't have the same opportunities. We would love a non-profit organization to come forward and pay for college degrees for survivors or the family members left behind because a bread winner was murdered. I hope the general public understands the plight of victims as well."
Across New York, 1,220 prisoners are enrolled in college programs operated by various privately funded colleges, a spokeswoman for the state’s Department of Corrections said.
The department’s commissioner, Brian Fischer, told Wednesday night’s graduation audience that education was the “key to re-entry” for inmates rejoining society.
“Our goal has been to get every inmate at least a high school diploma,” he told msnbc.com. “Once we started to get people educated, they began to ask us: 'Why can’t I get a college education?’”
“It’s not just about book learning. It’s about acquiring self-awareness, by studying topics like psychology and philosophy and logic."
At Sing Sing, inmates have to score well enough on an English and math test to earn a place in the college program.
Mercy College Professor Susan Wiener said her inmate students sometimes struggle with writing skills more than her regular students, but they also tend to be more motivated.
“They really feel proud to be able to do this,” said Wiener. “They’ve put their families through a tough time by being incarcerated. Graduation is the day their families get to come and be proud of them instead.”
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Leave a Comment:
Good job Dennis Martinez! You can't undo what you did in the past, but you can change your future. Now work on your Masters degree.
I think I'll get sent to prison so I can get a B.A. I could only afford an A.A. degree.
Sorry, but I think this is BS. People on the outside bust their asses trying to get a college education and meeting tuition costs or going into much debt.
Prison should be a place for punishment, not reward. Sure, I'm all for prisoners bettering themselves and furthering their education. That's great. But to have their educational expenses paid for and to earn a degree is absolutely frickin' ridiculous. Commit a murder, get your college degree, free.
I say they should get skills to do a job or books to further their education so they can get a degree AFTER they serve their time. To walk out of the prison walls holding a college degree is just crazy!
He shot the victim twice, it was obvliously attempted murder. A 13 year "assault" conviction is weak. And why should our tax dollars pay for free college for these low lifes? I say offer GED diplomas and no more.
So what you people are saying, is that when people are sent to prison, they should suffer completely, so when they're let back out on society, nothing has changed and they'll go back doing the same stuff they have before?
You have to stop the bar somewhere, otherwise prison sentences become a cycle. If all you offer an inmate when he or she is released is a one-way ticket back to what they were doing, what do you expect they're going to do? At least he saw the error of his ways and tried to do something about it. He's never going to be able to take back what he did, but at least he can show that he's what we all are; a flawed human being that deserves a chance at retribution.
Ranman87: Yes, he saw the errors of his way, and yes, he is trying to better himself so he doesn't land back in jail, BUT, when you have a non-profit who thinks it's better to give money to prisoners so they can have a free college education, over the THOUSANDS of children, growing up in poverty, who have not killed or assaulted someone, stolen things, or any other prison worthy crime, who will have no hope to go to college, that's when people get angry. What about letting these prisoners go to college and then handing them a bill when they get out and start on their first job? JUST LIKE ANY NORMAL COLLEGE STUDENT who has to pay back horrendous loans after getting out of college?
@NMEast
Exactly, don't give me the bleeding heart sob story about the plight of a convicted felon. They did the crime and they should suffer the consequences. What they definitely should not receive is preferential treatment over hard working law-abiding citizens.
The charitable mission of the Sisters includes many of the things and un-met needs you are complaining about:
"Sisters of Mercy have always identified and focused our ministries on unmet needs. Mercy service is extended in schools, healthcare facilities, affordable housing developments and programs, emergency shelters, retirement centers, women's centers and retreat centers. It goes beyond institutions to serve people in parish settings, rural areas, inner cities, prisons, and detention and treatment centers in the eleven countries and one territory in which we live and work."
Look, none of this cost the taxpayers one red cent. It was all done through the Sisters of Mercy (of course, let the religious bashing start). If you want to feed the poor, let's do so, but don't complain about another person doing charity work. You have your opportunity. Do it. There are plenty of groups that do all sorts of things and any of them can use your hands. My own parish (not Catholic) feeds the poors, runs a coat closet during the winter, shelters homeless families, visits the sick and elderly and to be honest, there aren't enough of us or enough money. We would gladly accept anyone who wants to help out. But to complain about another doing work that they feel called to do, because its not how you would spend your time and money is just sour grapes. Get out and do you own work and stop worrying about how others spend their time and money.
I think it is great that they are getting help and bettering themselves, but being that my husband was murdered 3 years ago, leaving me with 3 children to raise, makes me wonder how come my kids don't get to go to school for free and I have to work my butt off to try and save for their educations........and if I ever find out that the teenage punk who pulled the trigger gets a free college education while my kids are still going to therapy that I have to pay for, life is not fair I guess............
Mrs. Kidrock -
Talk to the good Sisters, sister.
Great job Denis Martiinez, all twenty 2012 graduates and all of the 260 graduates since Hudson Link for Higher Education in prison was formed.
The re-incarceration rate in NYS is 40% and nationwide 43% - more that 4 out of 10 people will go back to prison within 3 years of release because they lack an education and they lack employment opportunities. We spend $60,000 per year to incarcerate someone in NY and we then spend more than $43,000 for the social services we provide once they are released because they can't find employment. Oh yeah, and we spend $3 BILLION per year in NYS to incarcerate 56,000 people.
95% of incarcerated men and women will be released back to your community - do you want them returning with an education, employment opportunities and the ability to support their families, pay taxes and be a role model for their children do that they gain education and don't commit a crime - or do you want them coming home to your neighborhood uneducated, with no job possibilities so that they do commit a crime ? I know I choose educated!
The only way to break the cycle of crime and poverty in our soviet, especially in poor undeserved communities is thru education.
Statistics are proof this works -- 40% go vpback to prison within 3 years of release. NOT ONE of Hudson Link's graduates have returned to prison in 10 years. 95% of the graduates are employed in the social services field as case worlds, Aids/HIV counselors, drug and alcohol counselors, youth counselors working with at risk youth, teachers, healthcare provides - the list goes on.
The alumni visit public schools in the inner cities to work with at-risk youth to keep them put of prison. They help mentor these kids, act as fathers where there are no fathers and have committed to give back to their victims bd their communities. They recognize that "to who much is given, much is expected.".
Most of these men and women came from poverty, from parents who were incarcerated and from our welfare systems. They entered prison young and illiterate and left transformed, educated and helps.
Go to www.hudsonlink.org if you are willing to open your mind and learn more about how education has helped to save lives, transform communities and save society money. And by the way, this program is not state funde - it doesn't cost you any more - individuals, foundations and churches support the programs.
And don't kid yourself, these students are paying for their crime at Sing Sing, but they are also transforming while they are there in very hard and adverse conditions. They are paying for their crimes, have accepted responsibility, and are remorseful. They know they can't change what happened or make up for the pain they caused, but they can at least try to help others and prevent other young men and women from traveling this same road!
Hence the reason prison should be punishment and not reward. I'm all for the prisoners educating and bettering themselves. I just don't think they should be awarded a free education. I could care less if it was tax payer dollars or not.
As a possible solution, maybe have the prisoners learn their trade on the inside but earn their papers on the outside. The funds coming from the Sisters could be set up in college fund that could be an incentive for prisoners to go to college upon release. That way the parolee could still take on a majority of the cost for a college education.
I agree.
Mr. Rat -
It is not your choice. The donors spend their money without your approval. NOYDB.
Spend your own money, if you wish.
Uh. Duh.
I say make it a law so they can't give their money to prisoners. Only until after they get out.
MDBFO.
An all to common American rejoinder these days. Someone's attempt to achieve rehabilitation is met with whining and "what about me" blather. First of all, it's bull@!$%# that nothing is available for victims of crime and second, Dan Levey should start his own non-profit if he feels left out and believes enough in the cause.
I suppose he'd rather have that 60% recidivism rate maintained so he can increase his organization's membership?
It's no wonder this nation's largest growing industry besides health care and defense is prison warehousing. Land of the incarcerated and home of the coward.
Hah, you libtards know all about the "what about me" entitlement attitude. I always found it interesting how left wing lunatics strive to deny law abiding citizens their 2nd Amendment right to defend themselves while also pushing for plush pampering and early release of violent felons. A moonbat's ideal world is the land of the depandant and home of the loser.
You know, a lot of Democrats are gun owners. I am one of them. We have more people incarcerated for our population than any country in the world. We are paying billions to lock up pot smokers. Personally, I hope all of them get out, find a job and never see a prison again. But that is just me being liberal.
I agree with ending the war on drugs, but we're talking about violent thugs who are right where they belong.
Sing Sing may not be typical...but if you aren't going to kill them, you need to give them a chance to support themselves.
It's true ignorance when you blindly denounce someone because of one political belief they shared, and try and apply a political ideology on them, which you probably don't even understand.
I usually have a look at their comment history before I do to confirm my suspicions. Rarely do people reply and tell me that my assumptions are wrong.
What about those who didn't commit a felony and bust their ass to get ahead? Why should money be taken from them to pay for higher education for thugs when they would have to pay huge out of pocket expenses for the same?
No money is being taken from anyone for this program and others like it. Its all donated.
Please send a check to the Sisters of Mercy. You will feel much better.
Maybe, if we used tax dollars to send poor kids to college before they went to prison, they might not wind up there in the first place. We're going to pay for it one way or the other, how about doing it before we create career criminals.
All education should be public education. And, I feel the same way about healthcare and utility companies, if that makes me a socialist, so be it, I'm a socialist.
Amen to that, how fortunate NOT to pay for an education, NOT to pay for rent, NOT to pay for food, etc. I went to night school, worked my 40 hours a week and PAID for my B.A....took me 10 years. Never hurt anyone.
What...there are plenty of programs for poor kids to go to college on the US taxpayers dollar and other grant type programs. Many smart poor kids take advantage of it. The rest of the stupid poor kids usually start throwing their futures out the window a lot sooner which is why many are in and out of juvie from their teen years. In many cases these are the kids who have learned from their parents that they don't need to be responsible for their own futures, let the goverment and rich take care of you.
And yes, you are a socialist.
Exactly, we've been trying the liberal "great society" solution for decades. Simply throwing money at the problem has done nothing but create multiple generations which contribute little to society and are almost totally depeandant on government. The only real winners in all this are the lazy bureaucrats who pay themselves far more than they deserve.
Actually, Lauren, there are almost no Federal funds to assist poor kids to get to college. If they get admitted, there are some funds, but it is woefully inadequate.
I don't think for one second that laura knows the first damn thing about what it is like to grow up dirt poor in this country. There are programs to help some kids get to college but, conservative law makers are stripping them down further and further every year and those programs are very selective.
I can't wait till this country finaly falls apart and she gets to live the dog eat dog life she thinks is so great.
Eat the rich!
I'm sure he's thrilled that his assailant got a free college education and is on the path to more success in life. This must fill him with a warm, fuzzy feeling as he sits there in his wheelchair and contemplates what could've been.
yeah im sure he is. estatic!
I'm sure that the victim has some pretty conflicted feelings about this...anyone would. But if I were a victim, I would be happy to know that something good came out of the hardships, assuming the assailant was truly remorseful, served his time, and did something with that degree. It's about forgiveness.
This is stupid, its not about HARD time anymore, people commiting crimes to goto college, how stupid is that for the state taxpayer to pay these teachers that goes there and teach on our tax dollars, these thug and rygs dont deserve a chance, regardless of they have achieve they people they hurt are not getting a college degree, what the hell is this world coming to.
No more hard time huh?? WOW!!!!
Mister Whoops -
Perhaps you missed part of the article?
"The college runs programs at four correctional facilities in New York with funding from Hudson Link, a nonprofit a few years after state and federal funding for higher education in prisons stopped".
"Sing Sing's college program, which currently has enrolled 84 inmates out of a prison population of about 1,700, is operated by New York's Mercy College, which was founded by the Catholic Sisters of Mercy in 1950". (Catholics are known for charitable works).
This is NOT taxpayers' money at work.
What is this world coming to? Let me help answer that. It is a world of NO compassion for anyone, or anything different, outside what one believes is right, or behaves differently that you might. NO one is perfect, no matter how much one thinks he is. ALL have made wrong decisions, and poor choices in life, some are made to answer for them, while others are not.
I think all is being said here is the criminals should not be rewarded by ANYONE for any reason. This free education is a reward. Prison was meant to punish those who cannot keep the laws. Regardless of who is funding this education, it is a gift. This gift will help the criminals get a job when they get out. If you are standing in a job interview line and you are disqualified because you don't have the education this criminal has, how does this indicate fairness?
Actually, if you bother to look up the statistics, you would see that MOST incarcerated individuals are serving time for NON-VIOLENT crimes. Typical Republican ignorant comment...
Sometimes it isn't about being fair. Sometimes it is about turning around and doing what's right. Perhaps this college education will now keep these guys out of prison and actually doing something worthwhile and contributing to this planet in a positive way. Now, I do agree that the victims and families of the victims should also be getting something out of this. Now that these guys have their degrees and can actually do something useful maybe they should think about helping their victims. Perhaps now they could help with their victims kids education or maybe there are other ways of helping to make their victims lives better.
Be assured that a college education does not guarantee they will not return to crime, just take a look at our well educated politicians that are now in Washington D. C..
But, murderers, rapists, child molesters and other really heinous crimes, deserve no mercy, no education, only prison....forever!
Sometimes it isn't about being fair. Sometimes it is about turning around and doing what's right. Perhaps this college education will now keep these guys out of prison and actually doing something worthwhile and contributing to this planet in a positive way. Now, I do agree that the victims and families of the victims should also be getting something out of this. Now that these guys have their degrees and can actually do something useful maybe they should think about helping their victims. Perhaps now they could help with their victims kids education or maybe there are other ways of helping to make their victims lives better.
Be assured that a college education does not guarantee they will not return to crime, just take a look at our well educated politicians that are now in Washington D. C..
But, murderers, rapists, child molesters and other really heinous crimes, deserve no mercy, no education, only prison....forever!
Also, "While the statewide recidivism rate among offenders is 60 percent, not one of the 42 inmates who have graduated from a Hudson Link-funded program have been convicted of a crime after being released from prison." A program like this will help people who get out of prison perhaps to not end up BACK in prison. And that is good for our society as well. Prison is about punishment, but it should also be about rehabilitation.
What does being republican have to do with this article. I'm republican and I like this story and applaud the non-profit organization that supports it as well as the inmates who take advantage. Not all Republicans are uncompassionate.
Yeah to OldHighlandGuy! Great comments.
Pretty shortsighted perspective man. Whether you agree with sentencing statutes or not, the reality of the situation is that with a relatively small number of exceptions virtually all of those currently incarcerated will be returning to society at some point. Your assertion that there's no more "hard time" in this country clearly illustrates your ignorance of the truth as it pertains to American penology. Those of you who so unabashedly expouse your "Feed 'em beans and f**k 'em in the *ss" opinions on correctional philosophy are the first ones to whine in self-righteous outrage when the products of your "no hard time" prisons return to the street and act out violently. Why invest money in educating a convict and expanding his world view with worthless concepts like tolerance and empathy when it's far easier to keep him caged like an animal, angry, self-absorbed, and too ignorant to either understand or restrain the murderous impulses he takes back to the street with him.
Seriously now, i would have responded, Because you shot someone, you dont deserve that, not sit in your cell and shut up!!" thats how i would have responded to that.
OMG!!! i dont believe the state what they are doing.
Is english your second language or are you still in grade school? By the tone of you post I'm guessing the latter. What do you think we should do with the guy when he is done serving his sentence? Or, do you think we should execute everybody who commits any crime?
I guess you never made a mistake?. Maybe they can get a job and not kill your family when they get out.......
It is sad that this all happens to our youth. Young and foolish with poor choices that take them right to prison. I am glad to see that some of the prison systems are accepting courses that allow these young and foolish, to move on with their lives in a positive light.
NOW if society will remove the stigma , and prejudice, of the foolishness of these people, and give them a chance to move forward in their lives, you won't always have repeat offenders revolving in and out of the court system, or the prisons. People are not perfect, no matter what age they are. Things happen. They have served their time to society; now give them a chance to make a difference. With technology, most of these will never find jobs. All employers will see is what they look like on a piece of paper, and all the charges the DA drug out of the penal code book. What is on paper is NOT necessarily the truth of the matter. Give people a chance to explain their side. THAT is how we change the world.
Congratulations to all the graduates. Prove your worth. Remember, this opportunity most likely would not have not been available to you on the outside.
This article cites a great example of 'rehabilitation as a goal' in-so-far as imprisonment is concerned !
We, the public, must NEVER lose sight of our compassion .
Are you kidding me? Can the victim sue this idiot and get support for the rest of his life? Does Martinez get to enjoy his legs and go out partying while his victim is bound to a wheel chair? I'm a two-degree college graduate and after 6 years still paying for my education. I did not hurt anyone. This piece of trash gets a free ride. Un-freaking believable!!!!
Yes. The victim can sue. With most felons, however, they don't make enough to bother with a law suit.
With these graduates, after a time they probably will make enough money to bother with.
"While the statewide recidivism rate among offenders is 60 percent, not one of the 42 inmates who have graduated from a Hudson Link-funded program have been convicted of a crime after being released from prison."
Really Webb? How about the compassion for the victim? This turn-the-other-cheek crap has got to stop. Bring out the no parole, do-maximum-sentence laws. Or better yet put this piece of crap in a wheelchair for the rest of his life and see how he likes it.
I agree with the person who wrote about everyone deserving an education; that is the mark of an
advanced society. If more children had the opportunity to achieve in school, that would surely affect the recidivism rate, and as a former teacher who always taught and championed for the underdogs of society, I am really thrilled that those who made mistakes can have the opportunity to advance academically, but...
disappointingly, Mr. Martinez never mentioned his victim in his remarks--they were all about himself. If those attitudes don't change, then you can exit prison as a sociopath, but educated. Educated does not mean rehabilitated. Hopefully, this article just didn't allow Mr. Martinez to show that he had, along with other subjects, learned, above all, compassion and empathy and a will to make amends in the best possible way.
Shoot a man and paralyze him then get college paid for on the tax payers dime, good god I hate this country.
Mike.D34 -
You, too, missed part of the article? It is NOT taxpayers money. So, no worries, it costs YOU nothing.
hudson-link is a not for profit that pays no taxes and takes state funds in the state i live in, yes it does cost me money for them to support, unless the buildings and everything else cost nothing for them to run i'm footing the bill.
Then leave.
I know it made my friend happy to read that the guy who assaulted him, and left him in a wheelchair for the rest of his life got a nice free college education while doing his 10 yrs in prison, yet my friend who can no longer walk, has had to get student loan upon student loan to go to college for his education. Isn't life fair folks? Commit a felony, get free college, live a law abiding life and get stuck with student loans after an assault.
Programs like this make me freiking sick. They are felons and always will be felons. MAKE THEM PAY LIKE EVERYONE ELSE HAS TO. Otherwise give FREE EDUCATION TO ALL, not just locked up FELONS
My suggestion is this:
If the liberal apologists are going to continue to put programs like this in place, if one of these glowing examples of future citizens gets a degree, he must convey 50% of his future earnings to his victims in perpetuity.
This idea would never work. Having 50% of his earning taken from him, means its more cost effective to sit on wellfare and/or go back to commiting crimes.
This program is working:
"While the statewide recidivism rate among offenders is 60 percent, not one of the 42 inmates who have graduated from a Hudson Link-funded program have been convicted of a crime after being released from prison."
Support it and expand it.
Mike - I am a real hard-ass Conservative S.O.B., but I think this is a very nice program. People who make mistakes can turn their lives around and be productive citizens who contribute to society. I applaud the progam and the inmates who go through it.
give the non-violent offender an education if you must, maybe they have a chance, the rapists and murderers like this guy here (he tried his best to kill the guy but just paralyzed him) should be walking to a chamber not a graduation procession.
Mike - criminals who are serial anything should be kept behind bars for life, or, my preference, set them up with a date with "Old Sparky" - screw that easy, painless IV crap. However, those who make a mistake or make a wrong decison in haste or anger can be saved.
How about a cell with a couple of religious channels on the TV. An appropriate size stool and a perpetual noose hanging from the ceiling. Prisoner can then self captial punishment themselves if they can't take it.
I'm still trying to figure out how 8 hours of college a week for four and half years translates to a Bachelor's Degree. I have a Bachelor's Degree, but it took much more than 8 hours of college a week. Oh, I also had to pay for my tuition.
Well, in the first place, they may not be on a semester system. Just out of curiousity, would you trade a jail record and incarceration for a college degree?
No Spring Break or Summer Vacations help you focus and "Get 'er done."
I only read a few of the comments. The comments seem to enforce the idea that jail should be only punitive. Well folks, you get what you ask for, most getting out of prison in the US will be back in. The rage, and vengeance I see on really ALL posting places(at least those that do not require REAL identities) is horrifying.
on the other hand, it's kind of entertainingly ironic that they're evidently at least as sociopathic as the people in prison.
entertainingly ironic in a dark and ultimately depressing kind of way, i guess.
Cervix is sickly entertained. Depressed enough to stop posting?
There are 2.2 million people in prison in the US - the prison rates are the world's highest, at 724 people per 100,000. In Russia the rate is 581 (and they are really nasty). And we call this the land of the free?
Well I have to tell you that most of you are right in the way you are thinking.I spent over 26 years in this state in the biggest prison in that state as a prison guard;you won't believe me but I will state my years of service during a time when they got college education and then didn't recieve it anymore.I can't remember one inmate that ever became anything different after a education in this system.One person hit it on the head when he stated it took him longer to get his degree!!! This is a program to keep them out of trouble while there are in prison.It is a proven fact that the only good the education they recieved was use; in law library to try and get themself out of prison.The teacher seen the light and said she hopes he will do good to people outside when he returns to street.I seen nothing in this inmates heart that he was remorseful for what he did.Telling me;he is full of b\s and is a real con.There is no such thing as rehabilation people;it is a word used by management to control your thinking; So they can control way they want you to think and push their own agenda !!!!!!
The charitable mission of the Sisters includes many of the things and un-met needs you are complaining about:
"Sisters of Mercy have always identified and focused our ministries on unmet needs. Mercy service is extended in schools, healthcare facilities, affordable housing developments and programs, emergency shelters, retirement centers, women's centers and retreat centers. It goes beyond institutions to serve people in parish settings, rural areas, inner cities, prisons, and detention and treatment centers in the eleven countries and one territory in which we live and work."
Prisons should be hard labor. So hard that no one would want to go back.
Great job Denis Martiinez, all twenty 2012 graduates and all of the 260
graduates since Hudson Link for Higher Education in prison was
formed.
The re-incarceration rate in NYS is 40% and nationwide 43% - more
that 4 out of 10 people will go back to prison within 3 years of release because
they lack an education and they lack employment opportunities. We spend $60,000
per year to incarcerate someone in NY and we then spend more than $43,000 for
the social services we provide once they are released because they can't find
employment. Oh yeah, and we spend $3 BILLION per year in NYS to incarcerate
56,000 people.
95% of incarcerated men and women will be released back to
your community - do you want them returning with an education, employment
opportunities and the ability to support their families, pay taxes and be a role
model for their children s othat they gain education and don't commit a crime -
or do you want them coming home to your neighborhood uneducated, with no job
possibilities so that they do commit a crime ? I know I choose
educated!
The only way to break the cycle of crime and poverty in our
society, especially in poor undeserved communities is thru
education.
Statistics are proof this works -- 40% go back to prison
within 3 years of release. NOT ONE of Hudson Link's graduates has returned to
prison in 10 years. 95% of the graduates are employed in the social services
field as case workers, Aids/HIV counselors, drug and alcohol counselors, youth
counselors working with at risk youth, teachers, healthcare provides - the list
goes on.
The alumni visit public schools in the inner cities to work with
at-risk youth to keep them out of prison. They help mentor these kids, act as
fathers where there are no fathers and have committed to giving back to their
victims families and their communities. They recognize that "to whom much is
given, much is expected.".
Most of these men and women were raised
in poverty. Many grew up with parents were incarcerated and were either
supported by our welfare system or lived in foster care and homeless. They
entered prison young and illiterate and left transformed, educated and as
helpers in their communities.
Go to www.hudsonlink.org if you are willing
to open your mind and learn more about how education has helped to save lives,
transform communities and save society money. And by the way, this program
is not state funded - it doesn't cost you anythin - individuals, foundations and
churches support the college programs, not taxpayer dollars, although I think
they should.
And don't kid yourself, these students are paying for
their crime at Sing Sing, but they are also being transformed and rehabilitated
while they are incarcerated in very hard and adverse conditions. Visit Sing
Sing sometime as see what the conditions are really like. They are paying for
their crimes, have accepted responsibility, and are remorseful. They know they
can't change what happened or make up for the pain they caused, but they can at
least try to help others and prevent other young men and women from traveling
this same road!
1
Sloppy & misleading journalism! Question was regarding "elderly prisoners" not likely to re-offend! Pic later in article shows prisoner-students 30-40 years short of "elderly"...To the point...Access to anything other than spiritual & health based services in prison are all that is necessary! Educational instruction & classes for elderly prisoners is a waste of assets, misuse of resources & should be discontinued! Elderly prisoners still have access, presumably, to the prison library!