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First Class of Incarcerated Students Allowed to Access Internet Graduates at WCCW
“The skill sets that our students gain with internet access lay the foundation for sustainable futures and positive civic engagement upon release.” -- Dr. Sultana Shabazz"
When students of the Washington Corrections Center for Women (WCCW) Web Development program graduated Dec. 10, 2019, they celebrated a milestone larger than their own personal Commencement. They’re members of the first-ever group of Washington State incarcerated students allowed to access the internet.
The group has been part of a “Proof of Concept” for a secure internet initiated by the Washington State legislature. This fall quarter two cohorts, led by Professor Benjamin Erkan, have had the opportunity to learn full-stack programming with access to real world simulations – a major departure since they normally learn these skills in an offline environment.
Interest in exploring secure internet access for incarcerated students has been expressed by legislators at the state and federal level.
“As more national attention is being focused on the long term benefits of equitable education for incarcerated populations, it is exciting to see Washington State take this bold step forward,” said Dr. Sultana Shabazz, Director of Corrections Education at WCCW and MCCCW. “The skill sets that our students gain with internet access lay the foundation for sustainable futures and positive civic engagement upon release.”
See video from the Commencement on KOMO.