Halawa Hawaii inmates turn their lives around in prison
Halawa inmates turn their lives around in prison
8/31/12
Getting a high school diploma is merely a rite of passage for teenagers. For ten inmates at Halawa Prison, it's a chance to turn their lives around.
The prison cells at Halawa can easily destroy the hopes and dreams of anyone confined here. But on this day, at least some of them are looking forward to a brighter future.
The prison held a graduation ceremony for ten inmates who have earned their Graduation Equivalency Diploma, or GED, making them officially high school graduates.
"Brandon Dodd! Thank you."
For Brandon Dodd, getting here has given him a better sense of responsibility.
"It actually made me open my eyes to see what I was missing out there, taking advantage of, not being there for my family instead of doing what I should have done," said Halawa prison inmate Don Dodd.
"David Holt!"
For David Holt, it's a stepping stone to possible parole, and then going to culinary school.
"I actually have something that I want to do now rather than just going out and go to AA meetings, do this, do that, this is something I actually want to pursue and finish," said Halawa prison inmate David Holt.
Inmates are placed on academic programs and can take basic courses like English and Math. Other classes are also offered that can give them skills in the work force. Prison officials point out that inmates still have a lot of work ahead of them to get back into society. But a concrete accomplishment like a diploma is a big step.
"They have a lot of failures in life and those challenges had to some extent contributed to how they end up to be in jail," said education supervisor Amy Jod.