BOISE, ID – Lewis-Clark State College held a commencement ceremony for two graduates of its prison education program at Idaho State Correctional Center (ISCC) on Wednesday. The event was held in the facility’s visiting room and was attended by other students in the program, approximately 80 guests including families of graduates, college administrators, faculty and staff.
Dwayne King and Erin Anthony Murphy each graduated with associate degrees in liberal arts.
This was the first ceremony at ISCC. LC State has held two similar ceremonies at the Idaho Correctional Institution – Orofino. Orofino saw 15 students graduate on Monday.
“This is an exciting day for the graduates as well as LC State and Idaho as we work to expand education access and increase Idaho’s workforce,” LC State President Cynthia Pemberton said. “We’re proud of these graduates, and I thank the faculty, staff, and administrators at LC State and IDOC who together worked to make this outcome possible.”
“Education is directly related to people’s success in finding employment after incarceration and living a crime-free life,” said IDOC Director Bree Derrick. “We are grateful to LC State for their commitment to bringing higher education to the Idaho State Correctional Center and supporting our mission to keep Idaho safe.”
LC State currently serves approximately 165 incarcerated students across three locations in Orofino, Boise, and Pocatello. Students can pursue certificates, associate degrees, or bachelor’s degrees in areas such as business, communication, liberal arts, and social sciences. To date, four individuals have been released from custody and are continuing their education with LC State. The college is the first Idaho institution to be approved as a prison education program site.
“Faculty consistently report that incarcerated students are highly engaged and committed to their coursework, demonstrating academic seriousness and a strong desire to succeed,” said LC State Adult & Corrections Education Director Dovie Willey. “Several instructors have noted that student performance often exceeds that of students in traditional classrooms.”
“It means everything,” said one of the students. “Being in prison and getting the opportunity to better myself through the administration here and all the work that LC State has done, it truly does mean the world. I really do feel honored to be a part of this and especially being a part of the first class here at ISCC.”
Wednesday’s event in Boise was a full commencement ceremony inclusive of members of LC State’s administrative team, regalia, and a reception after the event.
According to research by the RAND nonprofit and nonpartisan research organization, providing education in prison has proven to reduce recidivism rates and is associated with higher employment rates. A 2018 RAND study found that incarcerated individuals who participated in correctional education were 48 percent less likely to return to prison within three years than incarcerated individuals who did not participate in any correctional education program. RAND estimates that for every dollar invested in correctional education programs, $4 to $5 are saved on three-year re-incarceration costs.
“LC State has been a tremendous partner,” said Ted Oparnico, Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC) education program director. “Special thanks to the LC State leadership and staff for their incredible efforts and determination for the ongoing refining and adjusting to the times of correctional education. I know both LC State and IDOC are excited about the future of this life-changing program.”
