His disrespectful classroom antics could have sparked a fight. But as a former “hard case” myself, I was determined to help him.

Jy’Aire Smith-Pennick suffered multiple traumas before age 18. He masked his pain with Percocet, weed and drug-selling. Now, at a Pennsylvania prison with the right programs, he’s finally starting to heal.

Our victories over college students weren’t just for us—they were for incarcerated people everywhere.

“This is the path my life had to take so I could be strong.”

“Taking classes helped me forget that I wasn’t free.”