Visitors look to brighter future

They looked like a typical group of prospective students touring the Warwick campus accompanied by a CCRI recruiter. As usual, the program began with an orientation in the Bobby Hackett Theatre and a tour of the facilities. If you passed them in the corridors of the college, you wouldn’t give them a second thought, except for one thing - they were all dressed similarly in bright blue shirts.

That's because these were not your typical college recruits. In fact, they were residents of Rhode Island Juvenile Corrections participating in a unique program coordinated by Bob Pagano, admissions officer in the CCRI Office of Student Affairs.

It all began several months ago when Pagano spoke to about 20 students at Juvenile Corrections who were soon to be released back into the community. He spoke about the opportunities available at CCRI and urged them to consider the college as an option when they were released. Based on the overwhelmingly positive experience from the residents, correction department administrators and Pagano arranged the on-site tour.

Many of the leading authorities studying juvenile incarceration point to education as a critical element in the rehabilitation process.

According to the National Center on Education, Disability and Juvenile Justice, acquiring educational skills is one of the most effective approaches to the prevention of delinquency and the reduction of recidivism.

"Literacy skills are essential to meet the demands of a complex, high-tech world in school and at work. Higher levels of literacy are associated with lower rates of juvenile delinquency, re-arrest, and recidivism,” according to information published by the center.

Pagano is a firm believer in the college’s mission of providing access for all.

"These young men have served their time and want to pick up the pieces of their life,” Pagano said. "Many of them recognize the value of education and have specific goals in mind, including completing their education.”

One of the most compelling events of the day was when four CCRI students joined the group for the special orientation. The four related well to the visitors. As former residents of Juvenile Corrections themselves, they now set compelling examples as full-time students pursuing their academic goals.