Prison Education: Rhodes College Expands Degree Options for Inmates
A $500,000 grant will allow incarcerated women to pursue a full bachelor’s degree, expanding a program that began with a small reading group.
By Ivan Mori ·
Starting this summer, inmates at the Women’s Therapeutic Residential Center in Henning, Tennessee, will be able to enroll in a full four-year degree program. This expansion is funded by a $500,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation. The new Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies will be offered through the Rhodes College Liberal Arts in Prison initiative. The funding also supports the expansion of educational programming to the men’s facility at West Tennessee State Penitentiary.
The program originated in the fall of 2016 as a Great Books Discussion Group. It began with approximately 25 women who were interested in participating. Dr. Stephen Haynes, a 30-year professor of religious studies and humanities at Rhodes College, now directs the initiative. He noted that participants quickly requested a program that provided actual college credit rather than just discussion.
Haynes cited statistics indicating that individuals involved in higher education while incarcerated are 43% less likely to return to prison. The college developed a certificate program in response to inmate demand. By May of this year, approximately 45 women are expected to graduate with certificates in liberal arts. As of the spring of 2025, 92 incarcerated women at the facility had accumulated 765 Rhodes credits, and 32 had already earned certificates.
The curriculum is delivered by Rhodes professors and students who travel from campus to the low-security prison. Every week, a group gathers at the statue of former college president Charles Diehl on the Rhodes campus before traveling to the facility. They teach standard liberal arts courses that mirror the college's regular curriculum.
Jameshia Davis, an inmate serving a 24-year sentence for drug and firearm possession, completed the certificate program. She subsequently became a tutor for other women in the facility. Davis stated that she initially doubted the program because of the college's reputation. She plans to continue her education toward a bachelor’s degree upon her release. Her next parole hearing is scheduled for May.
Rhodes students volunteer extensively in the program. More than 70 students have participated in the initiative over its history. Seniors Sophie Stevenson and Laurel Phillips lead discussion groups and organizational activities. Stevenson said the experience defined her college career and influenced her post-graduation plans. Phillips noted that the group has formed close relationships with the inmates, discussing family members and life events.
Dr. Lori Garner, a Rhodes English professor, has taught in the program for about five years. She said the diverse life experiences of the inmates improved her teaching in regular college classes. The program sponsors are currently seeking donors to help sustain the initiative into the future. The expansion to the men’s facility will add to the educational opportunities available at the West Tennessee State Penitentiary.
The new degree program allows incarcerated women to complete a full undergraduate education while still inside the facility. The Mellon Foundation grant provides the financial backing for this structural change. The program continues to operate under the direction of Dr. Haynes and the participation of Rhodes faculty and student volunteers.
