History was made last week as five offenders became the first cohort to earn college degrees at the Riverbend Maximum Security Institution (RMSI). Graduating with their Associate of Science in Business Administration from Nashville State Community College, the group joins over 200 other men and women who have earned a college degree behind the walls of a Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) prison.
Through partnerships with over 10 colleges and universities, TDOC offers degree programs across the state that allow offenders the opportunity to earn associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees.
Four of the graduates from Riverbend Maximum Security Institution will be furthering their education by continuing to complete their four-year degree.