Lansing Correctional Facility Program
Related Links
Donnelly College is proud to offer an on-site Associate Degree program to the inmates of the Lansing Correctional Facility in Lansing, Kansas. As a Catholic institution, we believe this program has a truly Christian aim to assist prisoners and directly complements our school’s founding mission “to provide education and community services with personal concern for the needs and abilities of each student, especially those who might not otherwise be served.”
Program achievements
After earning accreditation for a second, satellite campus in 2001, Donnelly began offering classes at Lansing Correctional Facility. Since then, more than 280 inmates have taken classes toward an associate degree, and 13 have graduated.
The results for these former students is staggeringly impressive compared to national rates – a 1.5 percent recidivism rate over six years. Specifically, a total of 66 of our former students have been released, and only one is now back in the prison system. Comparatively, 53 percent of all males released from state prisons return to the prison system within 3 years, according to a 2002 report by the Bureau of Justice Statistics.
Why is this program needed?
Aside from fulfilling our Christian call, Donnelly is basing this program on national data from numerous studies showing that earning a college degree is the single most effective tool to lower recidivism and prevent individuals from returning to a life of crime after their release. This creates self-sufficiency and self-confidence for these inmates as they start to realize a better path in life and gain the skills to attain it. In turn, this produces a healthier community and saves uncountable tax-payer dollars.
Despite this proven research, only a handful of colleges nationwide are offering programs to inmates. This is in large part due to Congress’ 1994 decision stop awarding federal Pell Grants to inmates. Although there are several colleges offering correspondence courses within prisons, most inmates can no longer afford the cost of education. We strive to make our program as accessible as possible to inmates by asking that they pay only one-third of the hourly tuition fee. Donnelly College must raise the remaining 2/3 of the tuition costs in scholarships from private patrons.
Graduate Testimonials
“It took a lot of prayer and pain to come to grips with what I had done. I had no sense of direction when I got here, but now I’m looking forward to earning my Bachelor's Degree in Business and starting my own company one day. I would not have these thoughts if it were not for Donnelly College. Our graduation ceremony is one of the highlights of my life. I hurt some people when I committed my crime and now I want to give back. Educating others is the only way to make that difference; I believe a lot people act out in violence due to a lack of education and self-esteem. Since completing classes like General Ethics, Psychology, English Comp., and Public Speaking I now have the confidence and the ability to express myself properly in the other programs I am a part of, such as the Stop the Violence Coalition and Walls and Bridges Narcotics Anonymous. I get the chance to speak to youth to assure them that education is the way to success and to restrain from violence, alcohol and drugs because it will alter their decision making. …I am truly a changed man thanks to this program.”
- Reginald Pennington, 2003 Lansing graduate and inmate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Graduation was one of the greatest days of my life. My self-esteem has soared, and I
truly believe I can accomplish any goal. Furthermore, my education has drawn me closer to my family and friends. My children look up to me now."
-- Michael Bess, 2003 Lansing graduate, who has been released and now works and lives near Salina, Kansas, with his wife and children
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"For me, college was a golden opportunity — a chance to prove to myself, and to my family, that I would be able to pick myself back up after such a terrible mistake. After I graduated, my family was overjoyed. It made me feel good to know that their confidence in me was slowly returning. Donnelly not only provided me with the opportunity to develop my academic potential, but also the opportunity to be a better person. I have gained an increased level of self-confidence, self-reliance, and self-discipline. Donnelly has helped me realize that I am able to achieve all things that I set my mind to."
-- Perry Reed, 2003 Lansing graduate