Prisoners earn degrees through new Rhodes College program

The West Tennessee State Penitentiary in Henning, Tennessee, is home to a low-security women's facility where inmates are studying for college degrees. Rhodes College has sent its own faculty and students into the Women’s Therapeutic Residential Center to teach classes that count toward a full academic credential.

Dr. Stephen Haynes, a religious studies professor at Rhodes, directs the Liberal Arts in Prison program. He cited data showing that inmates involved in higher education are 43% less likely to return to prison. The initiative began in fall 2016 as a small book club with 25 participants. It evolved into a formal certificate program after the women expressed a desire for official academic credit.

Currently, Rhodes professors and students travel weekly to the prison. They gather on campus near the statue of former president Charles Diehl before heading to Henning. By May, approximately 45 women will have completed the certificate program. These students have accumulated 765 college credits as of spring 2025.

Jameshia Davis, an inmate serving a 24-year sentence for drug and firearm possession, is one of the graduates. She initially doubted her ability to succeed in a program associated with an elite institution. She has since become a tutor for other inmates and plans to continue her education toward a bachelor's degree after her release.

The program is expanding significantly thanks to a $500,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation. This funding supports a new Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies. Starting this summer, inmates at the women’s facility can enroll in a full four-year degree program. The grant also helps expand educational opportunities at the men’s facility of the penitentiary.

Rhodes students play a key role in the classroom. Over 70 students have volunteered for the program, with seniors like Sophie Stevenson and Laurel Phillips leading discussions. These students report forming close friendships with the inmates and gaining new perspectives on life and education.

Dr. Lori Garner, an English professor who has taught in the prison for five years, says the experience improves her teaching on campus. She notes that the diverse life experiences of the inmates add depth to the literature and stories she teaches. The program aims to help inmates see themselves as individuals with potential, rather than just their criminal records.

The college is now seeking additional donors to sustain the program. Haynes and other sponsors are looking for financial support to ensure the initiative continues to grow and provide educational opportunities for more inmates at the West Tennessee State Penitentiary.