From Penn State Berks
The Penn State Berks criminal justice program ‘paid it forward’ by collecting used graduation caps and gowns from the campus community during the spring semester. The collection was donated to the Berks County Jail System for their GED graduation ceremonies.
According to Jennifer Murphy, program chair and professor of criminal justice at Penn State Berks, more than 20 caps and gowns were dropped off at the campus by students, staff, and alumni of the college’s criminal justice program.
The outreach effort was coordinated by Murphy, who is a member of the Delaware County Coalition for Prison Reform (DelcoCPR), a criminal justice reform group. She explained that the group was collecting gowns in Delaware County to give to the local jail, and she thought it would be good to extend the collection to Penn State Berks and donate items to the Berks County Jail.
Murphy stated, “Because of these donations, the men and women incarcerated at the Berks County prison will now be able to wear traditional graduation attire during their GED ceremony. Wearing a cap and gown gives incarcerated graduates the dignity and recognition they deserve.”
Jeffrey R. Smith, warden of the Berks County Jail System, wrote in a letter to Murphy, “The support provided through this project will give inmates the opportunity to wear traditional academic attire at their GED ceremony, allowing them to fully embrace the significance of this achievement. It is gratifying to be part of a community that has developed such a collaborative and professional working relationship.”
About the Penn State Berks Criminal Justice Degree Program
The Penn State Berks Criminal Justice degree program provides a breadth and depth of knowledge about the criminal justice system. Penn State Berks offers both the Bachelor of Science and the Bachelor of Arts degrees in criminal justice. The Bachelor of Science allows students to focus their degree by developing a structured skill set designed to meet their specific career goals. The Bachelor of Arts is an expanded liberal arts program for those whose career direction requires a broader understanding of American and international cultures.
The post Penn State Berks Criminal Justice Program Collects Caps and Gowns for Inmates appeared first on BCTV.
Source: bctv
Be First to Comment