Historic College Graduation Marks Shift in Approach to Corrections

On Monday, May 21, the first cohort of the Calvin Prison Initiative (CPI) graduated at the Handlon Correctional Facility in Ionia, Michigan with their associates of arts degrees in Ministry Leadership. This is the first major milestone on these students' journey towards a bachelor's degree in Ministry Leadership. Because this is the first graduating class of the Calvin Prison Initiative, several media outlets provided coverage of this momentous occasion. Over 150 guests from Calvin College, the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC), other CPI cohorts, and graduating student's family members attended. Fifteen students of the first graduating class received their associates degrees, many of whom have never achieved anything this noteworthy in their educational histories, before continuing on to earn their bachelor's degrees over the next two years. This occasion marks the first of many groups of prisoners who will graduate from CPI as Calvin College seeks to change hearts and minds of Michigan's prisoners, teaching them to think deeply, act justly, live wholeheartedly, and become agents of change whether they are in prison or out. Calvin College Provost, Cheryl Brandsen, gave the convocation address focusing on "Radical Hope." She urged each graduate to look forward with hope to how they can be agents of change in their own communities. Calvin College's intention is to maintain a balance of students who will eventually be paroled and others who are serving life in prison. Their goal is to both prepare ambassadors who will leave prison to make a positive impact in the communities to which they return, and to develop lifer prisoners to make a positive impact changing the culture as they serve within their prison communities. After hearing Provost Brandsen's convocation address, Calvin Seminary President, Jul Medenblik, responded, "It's very meaningful seeing these men receive their degrees. The seed-bearing fruit of these student's lives beautifully illustrates the hope of the Gospel. This is a program centered on hope." It is precisely hope for this seed-bearing fruit that motivates Calvin College to partner with the MDOC in this extraordinary initiative. After serving more than twenty-six years in prison, one graduate, Michael Duthler, received his degree on Monday and leaves prison on parole, returning to his community on Tuesday. Duthler is the first CPI student to leave prison, and many eyes, from both the MDOC and CPI, will be following his journey upon release after he received formative training through CPI classes. Duthler will complete his bachelor's degree on Calvin College's Knollcrest campus, majoring in either Religion or Psychology. Giving the graduating student reflection, Duthler recalled the many examples of prime citizenship he has observed through his three years in the CPI program. He thanked the professors, Knollcrest campus tutors, and his fellow classmates who have shown him examples of prime citizenship that he can emulate upon his release. Sociology professor, Elisha Marr, was among the many former professors and Calvin staff and faculty who came to celebrate this historic milestone for the graduating class. Professor Marr noted, "Research has shown that prison actually increases crime and recidivism rates unless there is an intervention. This graduation shows tangible, positive, constructive results of educational intervention." It is precisely this sort of intervention that Calvin College intends to provide through the Calvin Prison Initiative. Reflecting on the struggles that have led to this first graduating class, MDOC Director, Heidi Washington, turned to the graduating class during her final remarks and declared with deep emotion, "I'm proud of you and what you have accomplished. You have paved the way for those who will follow in your footsteps."