Incarcerated Louisiana Women Get Degrees from Bible College

(99.9 KTDY) - At a recent ceremony, 14 women who are incarcerated in the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women were able to earn an Associate of Arts and a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Service from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Leavell College.

Bible College Graduation Inside the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women

This program continues to help women earn their degrees while incarcerated, and those degrees will be in their hands upon release from LCIW in St. Gabriel. Upon graduation, the women who earn these degrees will be able to put them to work in their communities by helping others.

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Career Paths After Release from Prison for Bible College Graduates

These women work hard to earn a four-year degree, and they will bring forth their job skills for future endeavors, including the following:

Chaplains
Pastors
Nonprofit leaders
Further academic study
Missionaries

The Baptist Press reports that the first graduating class of incarcerated women walked across the stage in 2016. This most recent commencement ceremony was held on Monday, January 12.

These women toughed it out as they worked to complete their degrees through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the building of a new facility.

Leadership and Character Development Inside Louisiana Prison College Programs

Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women Warden Kristen Thomas says of these women and their educational process,

The education they received goes far beyond academics, as it shapes their character and equips them to be servant leaders, positive influences both inside the facility and when they return to their communities.

The Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women was able to hold the ceremony in a brand new chapel on the grounds of the facility.

Years of Dedication and Discipline for Incarcerated Bible College Students

The women in the program worked for four years to earn their degrees. They were able to learn about a variety of subjects as part of the curriculum, including the following:

Scripture
Theology
Church history
Language
Practical ministry skills for the church
Practical ministry skills for secular contexts and issues

Warden Thomas adds,

This program requires years of hard work, discipline, and perseverance, and these graduates stayed the course.

A Partnership Decades in the Making

According to the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections

The Department has partnered with the organizations since 1995, beginning with the Bible College at Louisiana State Penitentiary. The LCIW extension center has been in place since 2010.

For a list of the other programs offered through the Louisiana Public Safety and Corrections Department for incarcerated individuals, click here.