“I want people to understand that, although I committed a crime, I have looked at my life and my choices and have made a sincere effort to better myself. There is a lot of self-evaluation in prison and, more times than not, a better person leaves than the one who entered. If this journey has shown me anything it is that education never stops. I intend to keep learning for the rest of my life. We have reached the last rung on this ladder but it is only one level. The sky is vast and our untapped potential has no bounds. When, not if, we go home, we have to be the example to those we want to save from having to learn their lessons the hard way, the way we did. Our lives mean something. We have not allowed our minds to be idle; we have exercised our brains and now, our brains demand more. Let’s give it to them.”
HARRY HEMPHILL
“I’d like to think that after every class I left a positive impression on everyone and helped create a healthy environment for learning. It was never just about my education, but also about how I could help others become the best they could be. I’d like to think I’m an example of what a diligent student looks like. The lack of education is what sends people on a destructive path. To incoming students, I tell them to take advantage of this opportunity and really apply themselves and get all they can get out of the education — each and every class. Rise above just getting by and really apply yourself. The experience ingrains new habits you might find helpful in other areas of your life. Let this be a beginning.”