NJ Students Earn Diplomas While Incarcerated In Essex County

NEWARK, NJ — All across the nation, eager students have been celebrating a big milestone in their lives this month: their high school graduation. But it’s an especially inspiring time of the year for several young people who earned their diplomas while incarcerated at a juvenile detention center in North Jersey.

Last week, a group of six students graduated from Sojourn High School, an alternative school for youth at the Essex County Juvenile Detention Center. Located in Newark, the school gives young people a pathway out of the criminal justice system – and a key to a brighter future.

Here’s what to know about Sojourn High, according to county officials:

“The Essex County Juvenile Detention Center has an 8,000-book library on site and is the only detention facility in the state to offer a full 6½ hour school day for detainees. Sojourn High School is an alternative education program designed to serve both classified and non-classified at-risk students. Established in 1997, the program provides students with an alternative to traditional educational experience and maintains a low student to staff ratio. Sojourn High School consists of middle and high school students who have been pre-adjudicated, exhibit chronic discipline problems, and are in danger of not graduating. Students earn credits toward graduation by documenting skills demonstrated and proficiencies mastered. The SHS curriculum is based on the NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards and the student’s Individual Program Plan or Individual Educational Program. The school considers the interests, specific skills and life goals of all students in the instructional design.”

Students at Sojourn High also have the option to earn industry-recognized certifications that can help them to nail down a job in the construction industry after they’re released from prison – an important step towards rehabilitation.

County and detention officials held a ceremony for the proud 2024 graduates on June 20, presenting six students with their well-earned high school diplomas.

Wearing caps and gowns from their respective hometown schools, the graduates spoke briefly about themselves, the obstacles they overcame and the people who gave them a hand up along the way.

Several of the graduates offered reflections on their big day (county officials have withheld their names for privacy reasons; another student, D.T., was recognized in absentia):

R.B., who earned his diploma from Atlantic City High School – “Thank you to my friends, family, teachers and coaches who have helped me achieve this benchmark of graduating from high school. It’s been a long journey from kindergarten to this day and it wasn’t until I joined the football team and learned important lessons that I became serious about my education during sophomore year. Although this journey may be ending for some, for me it represents a new beginning and I am going to remain focused and achieve my goals.”

J.L., who earned his diploma from John F. Kennedy High School – “Congratulations to my fellow graduates, I am happy for us. Now that I am a high school graduate, I feel that the education I received will help me achieve something greater for my life. I am very hopeful for my future, and I must thank my mom and dad who helped me and supported me when times were rough.”

D.R., who earned his diploma from the state of New Jersey – “I want to thank my family for guiding me through this tough time and the officers, teachers and administrators for pushing me towards greatness. My story is one of overcoming. Before I came here, I didn’t think I would graduate, but you all encouraged me to do otherwise. Once I got here and became focused on my studies and realized I could do it, I wanted to graduate and make my mother proud. I have a strong mind and I never gave up.”

A.R., who earned his diploma from Union High School – “First, I must say thank you to my cousin because without her I wouldn’t have graduated. I know I should be excited to graduate and be out celebrating, but it’s still an accomplishment so I’m not mad. I am just a little disappointed in myself because I should have been using the smarts I was given for good, instead of what I’ve done to get here. Thank you to everyone who has helped me and when I go home, I’m done. I’m changing my life around and I’m going to make everyone proud and prove everyone wrong. I’m not going to dwell on my past I’m going to focus on my future.”

B.S., who received his diploma from Passaic County Technical Institute – “I am very thankful for my family and supporters for being there for me even when things didn’t take the right turn. I’ve been through a lot of rough times in my life, but my message to myself is that as long as I remain true to myself, I will be able to succeed and be prepared for whatever happens during the rest of my life. To my fellow graduates, never give up on yourself and always be a leader not a follower.”

“To this group of graduates – who I had the opportunity to get close to – I am very proud of what you all have done,” extolled Essex County Juvenile Detention Center Director Dennis Hughes.

“This is not the set-up of the public school system,” Hughes told the students. “You had to fight some challenges and overcome some real obstacles that someone outside of here would not understand, but you did not allow it to stop you.”

“This should let you know that you can do anything if it’s in your heart and mind and I am looking forward to hearing all the great things you will achieve,” he added.

• See Related: Prison Inmates In Essex County Get Job Training, Education

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