The Prison Scholars Program celebrated the completion of the summer 2025 semester at the D.C. Jail on Aug. 26.
A Scholar poses with her journalism teacher, Professor Neil Roland.
Following a semester of studies in a variety of courses, the Prisons and Justice Initiative community came together to honor 33 students and their achievements.
Over the summer semester, the Prison Scholars Program offered four for-credit courses in sociology, journalism, personal finance and web design. The new web design course, offered through Brave Behind Bars, MIT’s web design program for incarcerated students, quickly became a favorite among the Scholars.
George and Joy Comer, co-professors of “Personal Finance: Money Is Emotional” delivered the keynote speech. Journalism professor Neil Roland also addressed the group, emphasizing the opportunities that education can unlock.
Scholars had the opportunity to speak about their experiences this semester and many recounted lessons, both academic and personal, they cultivated in class.
PJI Program Associate Colie (Shaka) Long, who previously participated in the Prison Scholars Program, said attending the celebration was an opportunity to witness how education can foster improvement and success even in difficult circumstances.
PJI Program Associate Colie “Shaka” Long chats with the Scholars.
“As an alumnus of the Georgetown University Prison Scholars program, every opportunity to attend an end-of-semester celebration for our incarcerated students is a reminder of the transformative power of education,” said Long. “To watch these men and women transform a prison into a university, a cell into a classroom, is a testament to the fact that education is truly the great equalizer.”
Written by Julia Bulter
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