But a couple of weeks ago 60 Minutes featured a guy named Shon Hopwood who, while serving his full sentence of 12 years for bank robbery, began his education toward becoming a lawyer - and is now a law professor at Georgetown University.
This is an anomaly.
But here in Orlando, in our 33rd Street jail where every prisoner has one thing in common - they're all poor - a new program is up and running. The Department of Corrections, along with Valencia College and other sponsors, have developed a successful construction program.Last week my son was the commencement speaker for the latest graduating class. The students wore caps and gowns over their orange jumpsuits. What an overwhelmingly positive experience. He said "I can't believe I got a huge hug from an inmate and a Department of Corrections officer in the same room."
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