More Than 1,300 Incarcerated Individuals Achieve Educational Milestones During 2024–2025 School Year

For immediate release:

• Executive Office of Public Safety and Security
• Massachusetts Department of Correction

MILFORD- As students across Massachusetts return to school, the Massachusetts Department of Correction is celebrating its own "Back to School" success story: 1,367 incarcerated individuals completed educational programs during the 2024-2025 academic year, marking meaningful progress in rehabilitation, self-improvement and reentry preparation.

Key achievements this year include:

• 68 college graduates and 300+ enrolled in college-level coursework
• 110 HiSET diplomas earned (High School Equivalency Test)
• 112 graduates of vocational training programs
• 369 participants completed technology-focused courses

In total, nearly 5,000 individuals logged more than 330,000 hours of learning through in-person and virtual classes.

"Expanding access to education within our correctional facilities is one of the most effective ways we can lower recidivism and reduce incarceration rates in the long term," said Governor Maura Healey. "By investing in rehabilitation and opportunity, we are improving individual outcomes while strengthening families, communities and public safety across the Massachusetts."

"These achievements are a testament to the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to learn, grow and succeed," said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. "Whether it's earning a diploma, learning a trade, or completing college courses, every milestone helps build a pathway to meaningful reentry and positive contribution."

To deliver these expansive educational offerings, the DOC employs 83 dedicated education professionals who provide in-person instruction and create virtual learning content. These educators are central to providing academic, vocational and reentry-focused programs across facilities, including courses accessible through tablets issued to incarcerated individuals.

Members of the Massachusetts Department of Correction's Education Division, including head teachers. Front row, left to right: Laureen Doolan, Sherri Travers, Sharbari Ganguly, Jacqueline Scaccia, Talene Bare, Tracey Borrelli, Flavia Santos. Back row, left to right: Caroline McDonagh, Meghan Crowley, Heather Sherman, Bernard Audette, Mary Haynes, Dennis O'Neil, Susan Staves. (Photo courtesy of the Massachusetts DOC)

The DOC's academic programming is further strengthened by partnerships with higher education institutions committed to second-chance education. These include Babson College, Boston College, Boston University, Bunker Hill Community College, Emerson College, Franklin Cummings Institute who collaborates with The Educational Justice Institute based in the Office of the Vice Chancellor at MIT, Massasoit Community College, Mount Wachusett Community College and Tufts University. Their faculty and programs bring accredited college courses, credentials, and transformative learning experiences within DOC facilities.

"These achievements reflect the power of education to transform lives," said Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy. "We are grateful to our DOC educators and higher education partners across the state. Programming like this is one of things that has led to record-low incarceration and recidivism rates in Massachusetts."

"We know that education is one of the key pillars for successful reentry into communities," said DOC Commissioner Shawn Jenkins. "The DOC works tirelessly to improve and enhance our returning individuals' avenues for success. We are thankful to the work of all our educators in the DOC and our higher education partners who share our commitment to this goal, as well as all of our staff who ensure we have a safe environment to offer these opportunities."

As part of its broader commitment to rehabilitation and recidivism reduction, the DOC offers a wide range of educational and vocational programs, including:

• Educational Programming: Instructors from the DOC and partner institutions provide opportunities for students to earn their HiSET, academic certificates and Bachelor's Degrees. The DOC is operating in-person classes at full capacity and continues to create new opportunities to meet learners at all levels.
• In-Demand Job Skill Training: Instructors deliver hands-on training in fields such as computer coding (e.g., The Last Mile and Persevere), metal fabrication, printing operations, computer-aided design, optical manufacturing, barbering, culinary arts, diesel mechanics and small engine repair. These programs help students develop practical, employable skills.
• Tablet Initiative: The DOC's innovative tablet program equips incarcerated individuals with personal devices that provide access to a wide range of educational and vocational content. Nearly 5,000 individuals accessed 1,865 virtual classrooms and more than 330,000 hours of educational content through DOC-issued tablets in 2024. The tablets supplement in-person learning and help accelerate academic and job readiness across facilities.
• Virtual Education Team: The Virtual Education Team designs and delivers original learning modules tailored to meet the educational needs of incarcerated individuals. A cornerstone of their work is the Transferable Skills program, which features over 100 modules on a wide range of subjects including HiSET preparation, math, art, culture, music, languages, and history. In 2024 alone, the team facilitated more than 86,000 minutes of virtual instruction across approximately 2,000 classroom sessions.

A Message from Our Partners

"Education is a fundamental part of building richer, fuller lives and healthier communities. Our program bridges the divide between campus and prison, offering students access to the joys and challenges, as well as the rigors and insights of the college experience," said Patrick Conway, Ignacio Chair of the Boston College Prison Education Program. "These opportunities foster academic growth, reflection, resilience, and hope. By investing in education, we invest in people and create pathways that are not only transformative for individuals, but for universities, correctional facilities, and communities as a whole."

"Education within prisons transforms punishment into possibility. We are giving our students tools to redefine themselves and build a future that is informed by, but not defined by, their pasts," said Abigail Ballou, PhD, Director of BU Prison Education Program. "Access to learning technology will greatly improve BU's program to deliver high-quality education that impacts students and the communities to which they return."

"The Emerson Prison Initiative of Emerson College reached another important milestone in summer 2025! Seven students at MCI-Norfolk graduated in June with their Bachelor of Arts degree in Media, Literature, and Culture, with a minor in Economics," said Mneesha Gellman, Director of the Emerson Prison Initiative. "The commencement at MCI Norfolk was attended by numerous guests from the Department of Correction, Emerson College, partner organizations, elected officials, and family of the graduates. EPI also welcomed the next cohort of 20 new students who began the BA program in August! Welcome class of 2029! They join the third cohort of students who are working toward their 2027 graduation date!"

"As the Massachusetts workforce looks for skilled, career-ready individuals to build the regional economy, the partnership between rehabilitation and reentry programs and higher education institutions is critical to preparing justice-impacted individuals for high-demand technical and trade careers," said Dr. Aisha Francis, President & CEO of Franklin Cummings Tech. "Franklin Cummings Tech focuses on making these programs as effective as possible, knowing that each individual involved can move forward to achieving economic independence and contributing to their community through meaningful work and careers."

"Education has the power to change the lives of justice-involved students and help prepare them to lead lives, build careers, and support their families post-incarceration," said Bill Mitchell, President of Massasoit Community College. "We are incredibly proud of the eight students at Old Colony Correctional Center who earned degrees from Massasoit, and the dozens of others actively enrolled in Massasoit's Correctional Education and Returning Citizens program."

"Tufts University is proud to partner with the MA Department of Correction to provide incarcerated people transformative educational experiences and opportunities to earn college degrees," said Hilary Binda, Founder and Executive Director of the Tufts University Prison Initiative (TUPIT). "Incarcerated students in the Tufts program are among the most committed and inquisitive college students in the university."

About the Massachusetts Department of Correction
The Massachusetts Department of Correction (DOC) manages the custody, care, and rehabilitation of approximately 6,000 individuals across 13 state facilities. The DOC emphasizes evidence-based programming, trauma-informed care and educational and vocational training to reduce recidivism and is committed to fostering accountability, personal growth and successful reentry. Through partnerships with community organizations and stakeholders, the DOC delivers innovative services tailored to the diverse needs of incarcerated individuals while advancing equity, inclusion and long-term public safety.

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• Executive Office of Public Safety and Security

  EOPSS is responsible for the policy development and budgetary oversight of its secretariat agencies, independent programs, and several boards which aid in crime prevention, homeland security preparedness, and ensuring the safety of residents and visitors in the Commonwealth.

• Massachusetts Department of Correction

  The Department of Correction oversees the state prison system, managing 13 institutions across the state. We provide custody, care, and programming for those under our supervision to prepare them for safe and successful reentry into the community.