May 25, 2021
Story and portrait by Brandon Steinert
This is the first of four stories about how Â鶹¹ÙÍø's educational programs in correctional facilities aim to help inmates lead productive lives upon release.Ìý
James Floyd has missed 10 years of his children’s lives serving a 12-year sentence after his conviction in 2011. His oldest is now 20; his youngest, 16.
He will release in two years, and he is determined to build a legitimate life for himself and his family when the time comes. During his time at Ellsworth Correctional Facility, he has finished both a welding certificate and a high school equivalency degree, which is the same as a high school diploma.
“I have my children waiting on me,†he said. “We’ve missed so many years. I’m looking forward to having a relationship with them. I want to show them where I came from and where I’m at now, like ‘look, I’ve made some bad choices but I’ve made something better out of myself.’â€
His version of a better life has a couple of steps, which starts with him putting his newfound welding skills to work so he can afford the training to do what he considers to be his calling.
“Having a welding degree and a high school diploma will open so many doors for me,†he said. “Welding will be kind of a crutch. It will get me stable financially, but won’t be my career. I really want to go pursue being a barber. It’s a passion of mine and I’m good at it.â€
Most inmates in the correctional system will be released back into society, and many are re-admitted after repeating an offense or committing a new crime – a trend called recidivism. The Kansas three-year recidivism rate is 33 percent.
The difference between a world where Floyd might become a statistic as a repeat offender, and one where he re-enters society as a contributing and productive citizen, is the quality of opportunity available to him at the time of transition.
Enter the State of Kansas’ Pathway to Career High School Equivalency Program and a partnership between the Kansas Department of Corrections and Â鶹¹ÙÍø. Inmates can take courses and select career and technical programs offered by Â鶹¹ÙÍø, in a face-to-face setting while incarcerated. The Pathway to Career program allows students to earn a high school equivalency credential by passing certain college courses rather than requiring the credential before being allowed to take college-level classes.Ìý
The hoped-for result is a more successful transition to society for releasing inmates, which translates to reduced recidivism. Floyd was one of the first four to completeÌýthe program. All four utilized Â鶹¹ÙÍø's program at ECF.
Floyd said his gratitude for these resourcesÌýand the opportunities they afford is so potent it’s difficult to put it into words.
“I’m 41 years old and I never thought I would get my diploma,†he said. “I’m just so thankful. I told my grandma on the phone and she just started crying. To me, this is everything. I grew up with a learning disability, but now I’ve done something I can be proud of, and I’m motivated to get out and do more.
“The sky is the limit.â€
For more information, go toÌý.