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Taurean Decatur waves to classmates as the graduating class from the Northwestern Prison Education Program enters the theater at Stateville Correctional Center on Nov. 15, 2023.
Taurean Decatur waves to classmates as the graduating class from the Northwestern Prison Education Program enters the theater at Stateville Correctional Center on Nov. 15, 2023.
Students graduate from the Northwestern Prison Education Program at Stateville Correctional Center, becoming the first incarcerated students to earn bachelor's degrees from a top 10 university on Nov. 15, 2023.
Students graduate from the Northwestern Prison Education Program at Stateville Correctional Center, becoming the first incarcerated students to earn bachelor’s degrees from a top 10 university on Nov. 15, 2023.
Students from the Northwestern Prison Education Program at Stateville Correctional Center line up to receive their diplomas at the commencement ceremony for the program's first cohort, becoming the first incarcerated students to earn bachelor's degrees from a top 10 university on Nov. 15, 2023.
Students from the Northwestern Prison Education Program at Stateville Correctional Center line up to receive their diplomas at the commencement ceremony for the program’s first cohort, becoming the first incarcerated students to earn bachelor’s degrees from a top 10 university on Nov. 15, 2023.
Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill on Nov. 15, 2023.
Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill on Nov. 15, 2023.
Michael Broadway, left, has an emotional reunion with his mother Elizabeth Broadway before his commencement from the Northwestern Prison Education Program at Stateville Correctional Center on Nov. 15, 2023.
Michael Broadway, left, has an emotional reunion with his mother Elizabeth Broadway before his commencement from the Northwestern Prison Education Program at Stateville Correctional Center on Nov. 15, 2023.
The graduating class from the Northwestern Prison Education Program enters the theater at Stateville Correctional Center for commencement ceremonies on Nov. 15, 2023.
The graduating class from the Northwestern Prison Education Program enters the theater at Stateville Correctional Center for commencement ceremonies on Nov. 15, 2023.
Abdul-Malik Muhammad listens to the commencement speaker by author and journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates during the graduation ceremony for Northwestern Prison Education Program students at Stateville Correctional Center on Nov. 15, 2023.
Abdul-Malik Muhammad listens to the commencement speaker by author and journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates during the graduation ceremony for Northwestern Prison Education Program students at Stateville Correctional Center on Nov. 15, 2023.
William Peeples enjoys a meal with his family after graduating from the Northwestern Prison Education Program at Stateville Correctional Center on Nov. 15, 2023.
William Peeples enjoys a meal with his family after graduating from the Northwestern Prison Education Program at Stateville Correctional Center on Nov. 15, 2023.
Students from the Northwestern Prison Education Program at Stateville Correctional Center enjoy a banquet after the commencement for the program's first cohort on Nov. 15, 2023.
Students from the Northwestern Prison Education Program at Stateville Correctional Center enjoy a banquet after the commencement for the program’s first cohort on Nov. 15, 2023.
Brianna Harvey touches the hair of her father, Craig Harvey, after his commencement from the Northwestern Prison Education Program at Stateville Correctional Center on Nov. 15, 2023.
Brianna Harvey touches the hair of her father, Craig Harvey, after his commencement from the Northwestern Prison Education Program at Stateville Correctional Center on Nov. 15, 2023.
Commencement speaker author and journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates greets students graduating from the Northwestern Prison Education Program at Stateville Correctional Center.
Commencement speaker author and journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates greets students graduating from the Northwestern Prison Education Program at Stateville Correctional Center.
Jennifer Lackey, the founding director of the Northwestern Prison Education Program at Stateville Correctional Center, greets a student before the commencement ceremony for the program's first class.
Jennifer Lackey, the founding director of the Northwestern Prison Education Program at Stateville Correctional Center, greets a student before the commencement ceremony for the program’s first class.
Craig Harvey, left, and Lynn Green exchange a glance during their commencement ceremony from the Northwestern Prison Education Program at Stateville Correctional Center.
Craig Harvey, left, and Lynn Green exchange a glance during their commencement ceremony from the Northwestern Prison Education Program at Stateville Correctional Center.
Craig Harvey sits down to a meal with his family and teachers after graduating from the Northwestern Prison Education Program at Stateville Correctional Center.
Craig Harvey sits down to a meal with his family and teachers after graduating from the Northwestern Prison Education Program at Stateville Correctional Center.
Michael Broadway introduces his poetry professor D. Soyini Madison to his family after his commencement from the Northwestern Prison Education Program at Stateville Correctional Center.
Michael Broadway introduces his poetry professor D. Soyini Madison to his family after his commencement from the Northwestern Prison Education Program at Stateville Correctional Center.
Incarcerated students cheer for their classmates, the first graduating class from the Northwestern Prison Education Program during commencement ceremonies at Stateville Correctional Center on Nov. 15, 2023.
Incarcerated students cheer for their classmates, the first graduating class from the Northwestern Prison Education Program during commencement ceremonies at Stateville Correctional Center on Nov. 15, 2023.
Michael Broadway and his classmates applaud a classmate during commencement ceremonies from the Northwestern Prison Education Program at Stateville Correctional Center on Nov. 15, 2023.
Michael Broadway and his classmates applaud a classmate during commencement ceremonies from the Northwestern Prison Education Program at Stateville Correctional Center on Nov. 15, 2023.
Northwestern University faculty at the commencement ceremony for 16 students from the Northwestern Prison Education Program at Stateville Correctional Center, becoming the first incarcerated students to earn bachelor's degrees from a top 10 university on Nov. 15, 2023.
Northwestern University faculty at the commencement ceremony for 16 students from the Northwestern Prison Education Program at Stateville Correctional Center, becoming the first incarcerated students to earn bachelor’s degrees from a top 10 university on Nov. 15, 2023.
Students graduate from the Northwestern Prison Education Program at Stateville Correctional Center.
Students graduate from the Northwestern Prison Education Program at Stateville Correctional Center.
Students graduate from the Northwestern Prison Education Program at Stateville Correctional Center, becoming the first incarcerated students to earn bachelor's degrees from a top 10 university on Nov. 15, 2023.
Students graduate from the Northwestern Prison Education Program at Stateville Correctional Center, becoming the first incarcerated students to earn bachelor’s degrees from a top 10 university on Nov. 15, 2023.
Students graduate from the Northwestern Prison Education Program at Stateville Correctional Center, becoming the first incarcerated students to earn bachelor's degrees from a top 10 university on Nov. 15, 2023.
Students graduate from the Northwestern Prison Education Program at Stateville Correctional Center, becoming the first incarcerated students to earn bachelor’s degrees from a top 10 university on Nov. 15, 2023.
Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill on Nov. 15, 2023.
Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill on Nov. 15, 2023.