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Amanda Butterfield ReportingOne of the last graduations in the state happened today, and it includes a different sort of student. The batch who received diplomas and certificates this morning are all inmates.
A record number of prison inmates graduated from high school, vocational training courses and even college today. Corrections officials say this is good news for the public because an educated convict is over 50 percent less likely to offend again.
Keith Quick, Graduate: "I should have graduated from high school in 1989, but I thought it was more important to go to work."
Over 300 inmates, a record number, donned the cap and gown, and received diplomas.
Chris Mitchell, Department of Corrections: "This may be the most positive thing that happens in the prison system every year."
Here's a break-down:
--14 inmates will get Bachelor or Associate Degrees from Utah State University.
--41 will get Vocational Training Certificates from Salt Lake Community College.
--247 will receive high school diplomas; that's a 60% increase from last year.
--And another 85 will get their GED.
Chris Mitchell: "Ninety-eight percent of the inmates will someday be back in our communities, and the question is, do we want them back in better shape or in worse shape?"
Dell Baird, Graduate: "Today I got two bachelors, one in accounting, one in business administration."
Baird hopes to use those degrees to get a good job.
Dell Baird, Graduate: "So when I get out of prison I can be a valuable person."
Though all these graduates are locked up for different reasons, and graduated with different degrees, today they have the same feeling any student feels.
"Oh yea, very proud, glad to be done. "
