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Empowering Change: How the Brave Behind Bars Program is Transforming Lives Through Coding

Published on December 30, 2024 by InmateAid

Table of Contents

Introduction - Graduation Day at DC Jail: A Celebration of Resilience and Opportunity

A sunny November day set the stage for a unique milestone at the Correctional Treatment Facility, part of the DC jail complex. Students from a joint MIT-Georgetown coding class gathered to celebrate their graduation after 12 weeks of intense study. These incarcerated students, equipped with laptops and determination, had built websites from scratch and earned college-accredited certificates from prestigious institutions. They now joined over 200 others nationwide who have completed the Brave Behind Bars program since its inception in 2021.

The Graduation Experience Behind Bars

Unlike traditional graduations, this celebration featured a modest yet joyful spread of frosted cupcakes, lemonade, and chicken sandwiches. Proud graduates posed for photos with Marisa Gaetz, co-founder of Brave Behind Bars, who traveled from Massachusetts to congratulate each student personally. Gaetz’s deliberate and thoughtful speech mirrored the careful, detail-oriented work the students had done in their coding projects. The certificates, however, would not remain with the graduates but instead be sent to their lawyers for safekeeping to prevent misuse—one of the many safeguards inherent to prison education.

Education Amid Restrictions

The coding class is part of a broader initiative offering educational programs in the DC jail. These opportunities are carefully managed within the constraints of the correctional environment. For instance, students have access to pre-approved websites and limited computer time, ensuring both safety and productivity. The program also includes a telecom repair class, taught by Timothy Saunders, who ensures strict tool accountability. Saunders proudly notes that such vocational training can lead to lucrative post-release careers, though success ultimately depends on release and employment opportunities.

The Transformative Power of Learning

Prison education programs like this have demonstrated their ability to reduce recidivism. Yet, systemic challenges persist, with many incarcerated individuals lacking even a high school education. The team behind DC jail’s education initiatives, including former school counselor Jason McCrady, works to bridge this gap. The pandemic further accelerated the adoption of secure tablets, expanding access to educational content and communication tools, though these resources remain heavily monitored and restricted.

Building Confidence Through Coding

For Marisa Gaetz, the journey to founding Brave Behind Bars began in 2016 when she witnessed the transformative impact of education in a prison philosophy class. Inspired by the students’ resilience, she later combined her academic background in math, philosophy, and coding to create a program that not only teaches technical skills but also fosters collaboration, patience, and confidence. Students often start the program doubting their abilities but leave empowered by their accomplishments.

Stories of Resilience and Hope

In the DC classroom, students built websites reflecting their passions and experiences. One student focused on the sociological impacts of poverty, while another celebrated the power of music. The program’s sole female participant, Iesha "Tazz" Marks, created a site offering resources for domestic violence survivors. Despite her own legal challenges, Tazz found hope in her work, envisioning a platform that could help others rebuild their lives.

A Pathway to Opportunity

The Brave Behind Bars program is not just about technical skills; it’s about providing a pathway to a better future. Early graduates like Steve Johnson have leveraged their coding education to secure teaching roles and freelance contracts, demonstrating the potential for post-incarceration success. However, the lingering stigma of a criminal record often complicates reintegration. Johnson, for example, aspires to break free from this cycle by joining a tech incubator program and eventually becoming an entrepreneur.

Overcoming the Double Sentence

For formerly incarcerated individuals, the challenges of finding employment and housing often feel like a "double sentence." Programs like Brave Behind Bars aim to change this narrative by equipping participants with skills that reduce recidivism and build trust in their potential. Yet, societal change remains slow, requiring the same persistence and problem-solving mindset that coding demands.

Brave Behind Bars represents a beacon of hope, demonstrating the power of education to transform lives even within the confines of incarceration. Its success stories serve as a call to action for greater investment in prison education, ensuring that more individuals can rewrite their futures, line by line, like the codes they’ve learned to create.

FAQs About the Brave Behind Bars Program and Prison Education

  1. What is the Brave Behind Bars program?
    Brave Behind Bars is an educational initiative offering coding and vocational training to incarcerated individuals. Founded in 2021, the program equips participants with technical skills and confidence to improve their prospects post-incarceration.

  2. Who participates in the Brave Behind Bars program?
    The program is open to incarcerated individuals at correctional facilities, including men and women. Participants often include those with little prior experience in technology or higher education.

  3. What do students learn in the program?
    Participants learn the basics of coding, culminating in the creation of websites as final projects. They also gain collaborative skills, problem-solving abilities, and technical literacy. Additional vocational training, such as telecom repair, is also offered at some facilities.

  4. How do students access technology in prison?
    Participants use secure laptops with limited internet access to pre-approved websites. Technology use is carefully monitored to ensure safety and compliance with correctional facility policies.

  5. What happens to the certificates students earn?
    Graduates receive college-accredited certificates, but these are sent to their lawyers for safekeeping to prevent misuse. The certificates acknowledge their participation and achievements in the program.

  6. How does the program help reduce recidivism?
    Studies show that education lowers recidivism rates by providing inmates with skills and opportunities to reintegrate into society successfully. Programs like Brave Behind Bars empower participants with the tools they need to rebuild their lives.

  7. What challenges do formerly incarcerated individuals face when seeking employment?
    Many face stigma and barriers due to their criminal records, making it difficult to find jobs or housing. Programs like Brave Behind Bars aim to bridge this gap by equipping participants with in-demand skills that enhance employability.

  8. How can the public support prison education initiatives?
    Supporting organizations that fund or operate prison education programs, advocating for expanded access to educational resources, and challenging stigma around hiring formerly incarcerated individuals can all make a difference.