Seventeen incarcerated adults were the honored guests at a graduation ceremony held Friday at the Alexander Farrelly Justice Complex. Educators, counselors and relatives joined the honorees at an event where the speakers pointed with hope toward their futures.
Certificates awarded signaled completion in one or more of the three programs offered at the St. Thomas Bureau of Corrections. Six completed vocational education courses; 14 completed parenting courses and 12 received certificates for completing a course called “Thinking for a Change.”
Bureau of Corrections Director Wynnie Testamark congratulated the honorees and their families. “I love you all, I’m proud of you all; to the families, thank you all for standing by them, encouraging them … they keep moving on no matter what,” Testamark said.
The classes were designed to help participants make better choices for themselves, their livelihoods, and their loved ones, said Case Management Planner Tanesha Russell. Honorees and their families applauded Russell and their instructors, case managers and BOC staffers who helped make their achievements possible.
The class, called “Parenting Inside and Out,” is designed to help inmates find ways to keep their families together while serving time, Russell said. The classes are supported by the Justice Department’s Paternity and Child Support Division.
“Thinking for a Change” offers training to help participants improve their decision-making skills, Russell said. Mistress of Ceremonies Cira Burke said she was especially proud of those who finished this course.
Burke said she recently completed the instructor’s certification and was able to lead students through ways to reflect on the relationship between their thoughts and actions.
Certificates awarded to vocational education students marked their completion of classes offered through UVI-CELL. Three recipients are pursuing certification as heating, ventilation and air conditioning technicians; one completed a class in hospitality management. One certificate was awarded to a student pursuing a graphic design course, while another student accepted certificates for paralegal studies and business management.
Keynote Speaker Greg Matthias asked the honorees to reflect on their achievements and to value them. “You showed up on the hard days; you faced immense pressure. You committed, you completed, you faced painful days. You refused to quit.
“Let that same tenacity carry you far beyond this program,” Matthias said, “You proved that the hardest prison to escape is the one inside your mind, and you broke out.”
