Eighteen students, 10 from Penn State Brandywine and eight incarcerated at the George W. Hill Correctional Facility in Thornbury, overcame their apprehensions, challenged their ideas about the criminal justice system, and studied public speaking together.

The participants were taking a semester-long course offered through the Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program, writes Christina Billie for Penn State Brandywine.

The students met each Tuesday evening during the fall semester at Delaware County’s George W. Hill Correctional Facility, with a closing ceremony and celebration held on Dec. 3.

The Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program is an educational program that facilitates dialogue across differences, bringing together campus-based, or “outside,” students with incarcerated, or “inside,” students.

The George W. Hill Correctional Facility houses people who either have been accused of a crime and are awaiting a court hearing or have received a sentence of less than two years, typically for a relatively minor, nonviolent offense.

Brandywine Associate Professor of Communication Arts and Sciences Angela Putman taught the course, “CAS 100A: Effective Speech.”

She had contacted Warden Laura K. Williams and Kelly Shaw, reentry and program administrator, two years ago about offering the course at the correctional facility. After its successful completion in fall 2022 and fall 2023, the course was administered for a third time in the fall 2024 semester.

At the closing ceremony, several students shared examples of speeches they had prepared for class and their reflections on the program, and each student was awarded a certificate. Among the guests attending the ceremony were Brandywine’s Director of Development Patton Vo and Chief Academic Officer Jen Nesbitt, as well as Williams and Shaw.

“One thing I learned while teaching this class is that every one of your students has far more in common with each other than your differences. When you take the time to truly get to know and understand people, you will find that they have incredible stories to tell you,” Putman said. “I’m so grateful to be a tiny chapter in each of your stories and I look forward to seeing how the rest of your stories unfold.”

Williams noted how courageous it is for the students, both inside and outside, to take part in this course.

“For the students who are sitting in front of us today, whether you’re an inside learner or an outside learner, each of you had to demonstrate courage, strength and vulnerability throughout the duration of this course,” she said. “While it’s natural for most of us to doubt our capabilities, I hope this moment is one that you carry with you and that the success of this evening and the completion of this course fuels you to keep persisting through adversity.”

When speaking directly to the inside students, Shaw noted how their willingness to take the course showed their strength.

“You did something brave, signing up and interviewing for something new, and as a result, you earned a spot in the class. You have now successfully completed a college-level course,” she said. “We truly admire your vulnerability, speaking from your heart, and sharing experiences with new faces for 13 weeks. You had successes while you were here, whether it was completing this course, getting your GED, tutoring peers, or participating in other courses and jobs. You will continue to succeed when you leave. Keep your heads high and remember this feeling.”

After two students shared their class presentations — one inside student discussed the foster care system and an outside student discussed the harm of anti-transgender legislation — two other students shared their thoughts on the Inside-Out Program.

Greg, an inside student selected by the outside students to share his reflections, talked about how the class motivated him to be a better person.

“This class provided a small break from the jail life and made our situation so much better. … After every class, I would go back to my cell and call home to talk to my sons. It’s hard being here and away from them. This course pushed me to do better for them,” he said.

Brandi James, a fourth-year student at Penn State Brandywine, was selected by the inside students to share her reflections.

“I think I can speak for the entire class when I say that while our expectations at first were uncertain, by the end of the first day, a sense of security, comfort and mutual respect began to form,” she said. “Throughout the Inside-Out Program, I found myself genuinely excited to attend a three-hour class each week. Dr. Putman turned our corner of the visitation room into a space of collaboration and meaningful conversation through her works of encouragement and thought-provoking discussions. As the semester went on, I watched my peers grow not just as speakers but as individuals.”