10 inmates receive UCC degrees and ‘freedom to hope again’

Ten inmates took a major step towards transformation on Tuesday as they crossed the stage to receive degrees at the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean’s (UCC) 2025 Commencement Ceremony, held in partnership with the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) and Stand Up For Jamaica. The event took place at the DCS Recruitment and Training Centre in Kingston.

The graduates, five with associate of science degrees and five with bachelor’s degrees, were honoured for earning higher education in the challenging environment of correctional facilities. The milestone reflected years of dedication, sacrifice, and belief in the power of learning.

The UCC–DCS–Stand Up for Jamaica partnership, launched in 2020, provides accredited tertiary education in correctional facilities, starting with the St Catherine Adult Correctional Centre. The programme was later expanded to the South Camp Rehabilitation Centre and Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre. Combining formal education with personal development, the programme fosters self-discipline, responsibility, and skills for reintegration. It aims to reduce recidivism, strengthen communities, and change perceptions of rehabilitation.

‘Regaining our dignity’

The summa cum laude graduate and top achiever delivered one of the most powerful moments of the ceremony, declaring, “We are not just gaining a degree. We are regaining our dignity. No matter where you start, you can create a different ending. I stand before you, not merely as an inmate serving a sentence, but as a person who dares to dream where dreams often go to die. This cap and gown is not just fabric; it is a flag of freedom. Freedom of the mind. Freedom of the spirit. Freedom to hope again.”\

Speaking of beginnings “not in comfort, but in chaos” at the height of COVID-19, when “a small group of us, driven by determination, refused to settle,” the graduate shared how they “turned prison cells into classrooms” and “wrote change into being”, proving that “redemption is real, the human spirit is resilient, and dedication is one of the most powerful weapons against hopelessness. We are not who we were. We are who we choose to become. Today, those seeds are beginning to bloom”.

The standing ovation that followed recognised not only their achievement, but the shared journey of determination and hope that brought the graduates to this milestone.

Building on that sentiment, UCC President Professor Colin Gyles described the occasion as “living proof that a person’s starting point in life does not have to predetermine the outcome. Wherever you are, you can win. You are more than your past. Step into your future with confidence, purpose, and a determination to use your education to uplift yourselves, your families, and your communities”.

Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn, minister of state in the Ministry of National Security, and Commissioner of Corrections Brigadier (ret’d) Radgh Mason echoed the top achiever’s sentiments, commending the graduates for their perseverance and achievement.

“Determination, opportunity, and support make transformation not just possible, but unstoppable,” Cuthbert-Flynn affirmed. “Every champion knows the race is won long before the starter’s gun goes off. It takes preparation, training, and the courage to push through.”

Crossed the finish line

She commended the graduates, saying, “You have pushed through your challenges to get here today, and you have crossed the finish line with victory written all over you. Do not stop at the finish line. Set your sights on the next race. Pursue further studies, start businesses, mentor others, and keep showing Jamaica that your past does not dictate your future.”

Mason stated, “Education and vocational training are two of the most powerful tools we have to combat the criminal factors that lead individuals into conflict with the law. By equipping persons in our care with the knowledge, skills, and discipline to navigate life productively, we are not only changing individual lives, we are strengthening families, communities, and the nation.”

He added, “To our graduates today, you are proof that the past does not have to define the future. Your achievements are a testament to your resilience, determination, and courage.”

The ceremony closed with a sense of pride and optimism. It was both a celebration of academic achievement and a turning point in Jamaica’s approach to rehabilitation, demonstrating that with opportunity, guidance, and support, individuals can rebuild their lives and make meaningful contributions to the nation.