Wilkinson prison holds GED graduation

Eight men earn their diplomas

By Roscoe Barnes III
Chaplain, Wilkinson County Correctional Facility

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These eight offenders received their GED at Wilkinson County Correctional Facility in Woodville. From left: Valedictorian Abel Armenta, Blake Burt, Tramell Warren, Jonathan Dukes, Allen Armstrong, Jay Magee, and Salutatorian Devante May. Graduate Eddie Ragsdale, not pictured, did not attend the ceremony. Seated from left: Deputy Warden of Programs Tonya Toomey, Education Supervisor Branton Lewis, and Statewide Reentry Coordinator Matthew Riley, guest speaker.

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WOODVILLE, Miss. – Eight men incarcerated at Wilkinson County Correctional Facility (WCCF) recently earned their GEDs. They graduated in a special ceremony in the presence of their family, WCCF staff, and other offenders.

Graduates included Valedictorian Abel Armenta, Salutatorian Devante May, Eddie Ragsdale, Allen Armstrong, Jay Magee, Blake Burt, Tramell Warren, and Jonathan Dukes. Ragsdale, who is now released, did not attend the ceremony.

“Their achievement is significant,” said Education Supervisor Branton Lewis. “Their scores were some of the highest in the GED program.”

“It’s a great achievement,” said May. “I’ve been wanting this for a long time.”

Armenta said it was a “great feeling” receiving his diploma. “I am speechless,” he added. “It’s really awesome. I want to go to college and study business.”

WCCF, which is run by Management & Training Corporation (MTC) of Utah, had four GED graduates in 2016 and a total of 22 in 2017. The facility is expecting more graduates in the near future, according to Deputy Warden of Programs Tonya Toomey.

Matthew Riley, statewide re-entry coordinator for the Mississippi Department of Corrections, gave the commencement address. He told the graduates that they now have an important accomplishment in their lives.

“You worked hard for it,” he said. “Your instructors saw something in you that pushed you a little further. That’s why you’re here today with your caps and gowns on.”

Riley challenged the graduates to “continue their pursuits of achieving academic and career goals.” He also reminded them of their support system, and how they have family and friends that are invested in their future. He said they will experience disappointments and setbacks, but they have to persevere.

Riley presented what he called his “3-D Method of Success.” To succeed in life, he said, one must have dedication, determination, and discipline.

Warden Jody Bradley joined others in offering words of encouragement to the graduates. “You have something to be proud of,” he said. “You earned this. Nobody gave it to you.”

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12 inmates earn GED at prison in Woodville, Miss.

Happy reunion!

GED graduate Walter Jones meets his daughter, Reniah Norwood, for the first time. She came to his GED graduation with his mother and two sisters.

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I'm thrilled to share this good news from Wilkinson County Correctional Facility (WCCF), Woodville, Miss., where I serve as chaplain. This was a great achievement for these offenders and a proud moment for them and their families. WCCF staff did a wonderful job in organizing the ceremony. Special thanks to Warden Jody Bradley, Deputy Warden Tonya Toomey, Major Terry Daniel, Education Supervisor Branton Lewis, and the Rev. LeReginald Jones, who served as guest speaker. -- Roscoe Barnes III

12 inmates earn GED at Wilkinson

WOODVILLE, Miss. – Wilkinson County Correctional Facility (WCCF) recently held a GED graduation with a total of 12 offenders earning their GEDs. The facility is run by Management & Training Corporation (MTC) of Utah. MTC is a company that focuses on education, training and rehabilitation. WCCF had four graduates in 2016 and is striving to increase literacy.

“This is a great day,” Warden Jody Bradley told the graduates. “Nobody can ever take this away from you.”

The offenders, donning purple caps and gowns with white tassels, beamed with bright smiles as they participated in the ceremony that included staff and other offenders. Their families also attended the event, which was organized by the facility’s Education Department.

Offender Deondray Duff, valedictorian, said he felt good about earning the GED. “My dad wanted me to come to class and be a better father for my kids,” he said. “This will better me as a person. It will help me go to college and study computer technology.”

Shaniece H. Mabry, Director of Education for the Mississippi Department of Corrections, said she would not have missed the event for anything in the world.

“This is one step in a long journey,” she said. “Your current situation does not determine your future destination.”

Offender Walter Jones received his diploma and a special surprise: He saw his seven-month-old daughter, Reniah Norwood, for the first time. She had come with his mother and two sisters.

“I was nervous,” Jones said later. “I didn’t really know how to react. It was an indescribable feeling to hold her for the first time.”

Jones, 22, said he hasn’t really grasped how many doors the GED will open for him. “I know it’s a good thing and I’m glad I got to do it,” he said.

WCCF Class of 2017

These 11 offenders received their GED at Wilkinson County Correctional Facility in Woodville. Seated from left: The Rev. LeReginald Jones, guest speaker; Deputy Warden of Programs Tonya Toomey; and Education Supervisor Branton Lewis. Graduate Curtis Bennett, not pictured, did not attend the ceremony.

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In addition to Duff and Jones, the graduates included Salutatorian Larry Presley, Ira Hadley, Charles Dunaway, Clifton Washington, Chad Marshall, Roberto Mendez, Curtis Bennett, Andre Bass, Christopher Armstrong, and Jesston Pam.

The Rev. LeReginald Jones of Woodville served as the guest speaker. He is the pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church in Centreville and the St. John #2 Baptist Church in Woodville.

“Whatever life calls for, give it your best,” he said. “No matter the case, no matter the circumstances, do your best.”

Jones told the audience that doing their best is more important than being the best. At the conclusion of his message, the offenders received their diplomas as the audience burst into applause.

Education Supervisor Branton Lewis commended the graduates and thanked them for their dedication. “I knew they were going to pass because of the hard work they put in,” he said.

Tonya Toomey, WCCF’s new Deputy Warden of Programs, acknowledged their achievement while also recognizing the contributions of the WCCF instructors.

“Through the power of education, these students have persevered and succeeded,” Toomey said. “They have made a major accomplishment by getting their GED.”

Toomey and Lewis also recognized offenders Phillip Johnson, Marquise Flewellen, Peter Love and Darius Thomas for their work as classroom tutors for the GED class.

“I am very proud of you,” Toomey said to the graduates. “We are very proud of you.”

Proud achievement

Education Supervisor Branton Lewis (left), GED graduate Ira Hadley, and Chaplain Roscoe Barnes III. Hadley plans to attend seminary program at Parchman.

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