I never imagined that some of my most meaningful work would take place inside prison walls — not as someone serving time, but as an educator working with the Virginia Department of Corrections to expand access to college for incarcerated students.

And I can say with confidence: Virginia is getting this right.

Across the South, and especially here in the Commonwealth, we are seeing a shift in how education is viewed behind bars. Virginia has become a leader in building real academic opportunities for incarcerated individuals. Through strong coordination, strategic partnerships, and a clear commitment to rehabilitation, the department has helped create college classrooms in spaces where many never thought they would exist.

All students enrolled in our programs have already earned their GEDs. From there, students take on rigorous college-level coursework in fields ranging from business and the humanities to technical trades.

Many are the first in their families to pursue higher education. Some have struggled in school their entire lives, yet now they are writing essays, completing assignments, and giving final presentations in environments that rely entirely on paper-based materials and in-person teaching, because most facilities do not permit technology. But what they lack in digital tools, these students make up for in determination and discipline.

These programs work because they are built on structure, standards, and belief in the potential of people. Students aren’t just attending class to pass time. They are earning associate degrees and nationally recognized career and technical education certificates. They are building new skill sets and rediscovering their self-worth in the process.

The numbers speak volumes. National research shows that incarcerated individuals who participate in postsecondary education are significantly less likely to return to prison. Virginia’s efforts reflect this. Our approach is not soft on accountability, but it’s smart on outcomes. We are creating a clearer path from incarceration to contributing meaningfully to society.

Much of this is made possible by the Second Chance Pell Grant program, which allows eligible students to attend college without bearing the financial burden. Through the Department of Corrections’ support and coordination with institutions like Piedmont Virginia Community College, Southside Virginia Community College, and the University of Virginia, we have built a model that is both practical and effective. And we are still growing. My personal goal is to bring even more colleges into this work and deepen our impact statewide.

I have had the honor of sitting in graduation ceremonies inside our correctional centers. I have seen men and women walk across the stage with pride while their families cheer them on. I have watched students train for fields such as HVAC and welding, earning credentials that have led to employment after release. These moments don’t just represent academic achievement — they represent transformation, for the individual and for the community waiting for them outside.

The Virginia Department of Corrections has created the foundation for this progress by fostering a culture that sees education as a part of reentry, not separate from it. By working across departments, supporting faculty, and removing unnecessary barriers, Virginia is modeling what successful prison education looks like. 

Still, we need to shift public perception. I often hear people question why someone who is incarcerated should get a college education. My answer is always the same: because it works. Education creates stability. Learning helps people grow and become contributors. And preparing someone for life after prison is always a better investment than preparing them for a return to it.

I speak not just as an administrator, but as someone whose own academic journey came with challenges. Growing up with speech and hearing difficulties, I never found school easy. But college gave me structure, purpose, and the confidence to know I could succeed. Now I help ensure that the same opportunity exists for others, many of whom are making the most of it in the hardest environment possible.

They are focused, respectful, curious, and committed. They know what’s at stake. They show up early, ask questions, support their peers, and turn in their work on time. It’s hard not to be inspired by that.

This is not just theory. This is happening every day in our facilities. It’s not perfect, but it’s working. College behind bars is changing lives in Virginia and it’s doing so because Virginia is laying the groundwork for second chances rooted in education.

College behind bars is more than a concept. In Virginia, it’s a strategy that is helping people rebuild their lives, strengthen their families, and return home with more than hope. They return with credentials, skills, and a renewed sense of purpose, and that benefits all of us.

Adolph Brown is an economics professor at Virginia Commonwealth University and college program administrator for the Virginia Department of Corrections.