TOPEKA — Going to college can be challenging for many people, but imagine taking classes, completing homework, and eventually even graduating all while also serving time in a Kansas prison. That’s the reality for some residents at Topeka Correctional Facility — Kansas’s only women’s prison.
Washburn University began a partnership with Topeka Correctional back in 2021 and since then, there’s been an educational transformation that’s empowered residents with hopes of reducing recidivism with the power of knowledge and the help of a degree.
Erica Nieto has been at Topeka Correctional Facility for several years and during that time, she’s changed a lot. Before coming to prison, she had been trying to get her GED for 15 years, now she’s trying to get all As.
She’s gone from dropping out of high school in 9th grade to enrolling at Washburn University, working hard to be the first member of her family to ever graduate college.
“Actually starting it was really scary, but now I’m in my fourth semester and I need five to graduate so that’s really exciting and I love it,” said Nieto, a resident at Topeka Correctional Facility.
11% of Topeka Correctional Facility residents are currently enrolled in college classes at Washburn University, and it’s making a real difference in their lives.
“I’ve seen changes in behavior, I have seen changes in confidence, I’ve seen changes in vocabularies, I’ve seen changes in just how some of these residents hold themselves — so night and day differences,” said Ilia Jones, the corrections education director.
Jones calls the ability to get a degree, generational change.
“I will have students come into my office and say ‘I’m helping my kids with their homework.’ or ‘I’m talking my kids into going to college,’” said Jones.
So far, 89 TCF residents have graduated from Washburn University, earning degrees that put them ahead in life and reduce the chances of them returning to prison.
“So spending dollars here means taxpayers don’t have to spend dollars for individuals to come back here,” Jones said.
Getting a degree, and even just taking classes, can have benefits for the women at the prison both practically and emotionally.
“After completing that first semester and being on the president’s list, it was really rewarding. I felt a sense of accomplishment I’ve never really felt before,” said Danielle Delahunt, another resident at Topeka Correctional Facility.
Delahunt received her associate degree in liberal studies in December. She’s now working toward her bachelor’s degree.
“It’s rewarding to know that I’m doing something productive with my time here and I’m helping myself and my future,” said Delahunt.
The student residents take “correctionalized” versions of the classes that involve all the same content as traditional college students but include restrictions on discussion posts, so they’re not interacting with other online students.
