LORCI celebrates more than 200 current, former inmates earn diplomas since 2019

GRAFTON — Donning black caps and gowns over Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction blues, graduates at Lorain Correctional Institution may not have walked across a traditional stage Thursday afternoon, but their accomplishments were recognized nonetheless. More than 200 LORCI inmates have earned diplomas or certifications since 2019, School Administrator Kimberly Albert said. Of those, about two dozen were in attendance for a graduation ceremony in the prison chapel. Some were joined in person by family or supporters, while others logged on remotely via Microsoft Teams — taking time to tell their loved ones how proud they were of the work they'd put in over the months and years they have studied. "I'm humbled, really, by the way you continue to come in every day and continue to make the choice to face the circumstances you're in head-on," Albert said, looking out at the men seated before her. "You no doubt have had a million other things on your mind during this time, but you found it within to go after an education — something that can never, ever be taken away from you." Keynote speaker Rick Hernandez, Goodwill Industries senior reentry employment specialist, didn't think he'd be back at LORCI after leaving it in 2010. "I at one point sat in the chair that you're in, so knowing where you're at right now and knowing what can happen is definitely a blessing for me to be able to come in here and possibly give you a ray of hope," he said. When Hernandez first got to prison in Bradford, Pennsylvania, he vowed to get his GED while incarcerated. Hernandez had dropped out of school when he was 16 to provide for his new child. His high school equivalency was just the start, he said, striving to not let the blemish on his record define who he was. "By God's grace and mercy and some other instrumental people that have come into my life, I've been able to do those things … and just like it happened for me, I know that it's going to happen for each and every individual that's out there," he said. Hernandez said his goal now is to give the men in the situation he was once in encouragement and hope. "Continue to strive, continue to set goals, continue to progress and never give up," he said. "Denzel Washington said this: 'Put God first, fail big, achieve, and be disciplined and never give up. That is my encouragement to you.'" He urged the men there to find their purpose, their niche and keep moving forward in their lives. Warden Jennifer Gillece Black agreed. "A lot of you are in a place where you may be angry and you may feel stuck," she said. "But actions like you just did, by taking initiative and getting involved and getting your education is a way to help you get out from where you're at." Recognizing every day as a challenge, she told the men to keep their heads up and take advantage of the opportunities available. "Don't allow this to be the last stop for you," she said. "But today is about celebrating because you've completed something and you need to take a moment, look at yourself and tell yourself you did a great job." One inmate who received his janitor apprenticeship certificate has been tutoring his fellow inmates for years, helping men earn their GED certificats or college credits. "It's more of a calling," he said, noting he didn't have the same respect for teachers that he does now as a tutor. "It's my way of giving back to my fellow inmates." The apprenticeship certificates several of the men earned focused on HVAC, janitorial services, building maintenance, cooking or animal training and are recognized by OhioMeansJobs to help them gain employment on reentry. Others earned basic business certificates from Ashland University. One man earned an associate deree of general studies from the university as well. Another inmate took classes for the past two years to earn his basic business certificate on Thursday. He said the work he put in for that diploma was for his daughter. He's been incarcerated her whole life, he said. "I took college classes because I wanted to let my daughter know she can do it too," he said. "She just turned 18. … Anything I do, I do it for her to let her know that I love her and if I can do it from here, she can do anything." Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.