A sentence is not the end. Prisoners earn degrees at KUL

Here, no one asks about the past, or about the harm done that led to prison. What matters here is the willingness to change, to convert, and to work on oneself. That opportunity is offered through the only university program for inmates in Europe, run by the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin. Today, another seven prisoners completed it.

The inmates are grateful to KUL for the opportunity to study while serving their sentences.

Each of them has a different life story and a different sentence, but each graduated with very good results and a high grade average in Family Studies. “It is a tremendous joy to see the tangible results of our work. This is a summary not only of a full year of study, but in fact of three years. We hope these gentlemen will begin second-cycle studies,” said Fr. Prof. Mirosław Kalinowski, who supervised the bachelor’s theses.

Each inmate has a different life story and a different sentence, but each achieved a very good diploma result.

The defense of the bachelor’s theses lasted nearly two hours. The questions were not easy. The exam stirred strong emotions.

“I feel proud. It was hugely stressful, but also a great joy. I am moved that I am doing something with my life. My sentence is such that I will still have time to complete a master’s degree while in custody,” said one inmate just after leaving the room.

We set requirements

As Fr. Prof. Kalinowski emphasized, the studies are both a reward and a sound method of re-education.

“We create the conditions for learning, involve university staff and other communities, and give these people a chance — but we also set requirements. We talk about them in the media. We know that 80 percent of them do not return to crime, but family and the environment to which an inmate returns after serving their sentence are also important in this process,” the KUL rector said.

The studies are both a reward and a sound method of re-education. KUL launched its higher education model for inmates in 2013. It currently offers bachelor’s programs and supplementary master’s programs. Thirty-two people from across Poland, including women, are taking part.

The program has attracted international interest, including from prison authorities in Rome, which are considering launching similar studies in cooperation with the Pontifical Theological Academy and LUMSA University.