In a ceremony honoring 169 incarcerated women at the Dayton Correctional Institution, graduates of Sinclair Community College celebrated the transformative power of education. Several women shared how earning certificates and degrees has opened up new opportunities for personal growth and a better future.
Incarcerated individuals in Ohio have access to post-secondary education programs through the Ohio Central School System, overseen by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC). Sinclair College is one of several institutions offering education to inmates, with more than 40 degree and certificate programs available. In 2024, the college is serving over 2,600 incarcerated students across 16 ODRC facilities. Programs like this are designed to help inmates improve their lives both during and after their time in prison.
Danielle Carr, a graduate who earned an associate degree in business, was a keynote speaker at the event. She shared her personal struggles and triumphs, explaining how education helped her rediscover confidence after dropping out of high school as a sophomore. Despite losing her mother and grandmother in the same week during her final semester, Carr was able to persevere with the support of her teachers. Now, she’s inspired to continue her education and pursue a degree in teaching.
“Teachers changed my life, so I want to be able to give back,” Carr said. She was sentenced to nine years in prison in 2020 for charges related to drug trafficking and possession of a weapon.
January Newport, a program coordinator with the Montgomery County Office of Reentry and a former inmate, also spoke at the ceremony. Newport emphasized that education is more than acquiring knowledge; it is a source of empowerment. Newport, who has firsthand experience with substance abuse and mental health issues, was last incarcerated at Dayton Correctional Institution in 2015. She described the challenges she faced, including attending her mother’s funeral virtually from the prison infirmary.
Newport highlighted the determination of incarcerated students, noting that they complete their coursework by hand rather than on computers. She earned a certificate while in prison and later achieved her associate and bachelor’s degrees post-release. Currently, she is working toward her master’s degree.
“The world outside might not always recognize you, but you know your worth,” Newport told the graduates, encouraging them to continue setting goals for themselves.
As part of her work with the Office of Reentry, Newport helps formerly incarcerated individuals overcome barriers to reentering society. The Reentry Career Alliance Academy, one of the office’s key programs, has served over 900 clients since its creation in 2015, boasting a 91% success rate in reducing recidivism.
Reflecting on her own journey, Newport said, “It makes my life make sense. There was a lot of senseless stuff.” Now, she uses her experience to support others who are working to rebuild their lives after incarceration.
