Equipped with a newly conferred high school equivalency diploma, 18 offenders celebrated a milestone at Tabor Correctional Institution on Sept. 16 in coordination with the Transitional Studies program at Southeastern Community College. While the rest of Columbus County was feeling the effects of a tropical storm that day, it was a momentous occasion for these incarcerated graduates who never experienced the receiving end of a high school graduation ceremony. 

Correctional Social Worker JaShawna Bellamy was the mistress of ceremonies, and TCI Warden Jamie Bullard made welcoming remarks after the graduates processed into the ceremony. SCC Executive Vice President Dr. Sylvia Cox was the guest speaker. 

“Today marks an important milestone,” Cox said. “Along this journey, I’m sure there were times when you thought you could not complete this. You found a strength inside yourself, and that strength allowed you to persevere.” 

Cox reminded the graduates that their perseverance, encouragement from their instructors and support from the college and TCI staff got them to graduation day. She wanted graduation day to serve as beacon for achieving great things even while incarcerated.  

Friends, family and loved ones of the graduates heard four speeches from the graduates before the diplomas were presented by Education Coordinator/Instructor Raymond Long and TCI Programs Assistant Warden Alfred Williams.  

Before graduates turned their tassel, they were charged with a farewell address from the South Central Regional Education Coordinator Jana Demetral. They heard an invocation from Chaplain Jerry Corbett. 

“I thought the graduation at TCI was a huge success thanks to all the TCI staff who organized it and put things together,” Long said. “Graduation is an important thing for the offenders to see a light at the end of the tunnel and to be able to celebrate their accomplishment with their families. The TCI programs education team spear headed the organization of the graduation, and I thank them for all their hard work.” 

Long explained that he is the education coordinator for prison education at Tabor Correctional Institution for SCC. He is the liaison between TCI and SCC, and he teaches a full-time HiSET class and a part-time evening HiSET class. He is one of four instructors who teach a curriculum developed by SCC’s Transitional Studies program.  

“My favorite part of the job is the support we get from the custody and programs staff at TCI,” Long said. “Everyone works together to make our program a success.” 

TCI staff helps Long keep a safe working environment for all staff which includes officers, programs staff and SCC instructors as well as the incarcerated offenders. Keeping a safe working environment in a prison setting is the most important thing for the success of TCI’s education program, Long said. 

“As a HiSET examiner for Transitional Studies, it is incredibly rewarding to witness a growing number of inmates achieving their high school equivalency diplomas,” said Larry Everette, Chief Examiner/Recruiter for Transitional Studies. “This year, we have seen a significant increase in graduates, marking a positive trend toward rehabilitation and personal development.”  

Everette said that each graduate represents a story of perseverance and transformation, and it is an honor to play a part in their educational journey. He explained that the success of the graduates opens doors for their future and inspires a sense of hope and progress within the facility.  

“Seeing the pride and joy on the faces of the graduates is a deeply fulfilling experience, reinforcing the importance of education as a cornerstone for change,” Everette said.  

Overseeing the high school equivalency instructors, Transitional Studies Director Veronica Powell acknowledged the importance of their role in equipping offenders with the tools necessary to re-enter society. With the goal of passing the high school equivalency exam, Powell said that hosting her program in prisons like TCI help the rehabilitated find employment, decrease chances of returning to prison, develop social skills, promote safer communities and save money for taxpayers.  

“Tabor Correctional Institution is committed to providing a safe and secure location for incarcerated individuals in North Carolina while also focusing on rehabilitation,” said Jamie Bullard, TCI Warden. “Offenders who participate in correctional education programs are 43% less likely to recidivate. We are excited to continue our partnership with Southeastern Community College.”