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.

I barely remember my birthplace, Jamaica, and I have no family left there. Frankly, I’m terrified.

“I wondered if I knew more of their history if I would still view them the same way.”

“I didn’t have a way to communicate. And they basically just flipped me the bird.”

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