IONIA, Mich. (WOOD) -- Behind the barbed wire and prison fences at the Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility in Ionia, there's a new sense of hope.
On Monday, 15 male prisoners received associate degrees in Ministry Leadership from Calvin College.
"To see our first cohort get their associate's degree is just amazing. Nothing short of miraculous," Calvin Prison Initiative program co-director Todd Cioffi told 24 Hour News 8.
The inmates, all wearing cap and gown, were given the opportunity to celebrate the achievement with family members, prison leaders and Calvin faculty members.
The degree is the culmination of three years of hard work. Only Level Two inmates within the Michigan Department of Corrections are eligible to enroll, and they must meet strict requirements.
The degree from Calvin College is the real deal.
"(They’re the) same professors (who) teach in the main campus (in Grand Rapids). They teach here,” Cioffi explained. “Same courses, same syllabi, same textbooks -- same everything.”
Full story: WOOD TV