COCC to award first associate degrees at Oregon prison
MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Central Oregon Community College's education program at Deer Ridge Correctional Institution is set to confer its first-ever associate degree awards. Nine students will receive their college degrees at the annual graduation ceremony on Tuesday, June 9th, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
The ceremony will take place at the facility located at 3920 E. Ashwood Road in Madras, marking a significant milestone for the recently established program.
The associate degree program began in the spring of 2024, representing a new initiative by COCC. Financial assistance for students in the program is largely provided by federal Pell Grants, following a 2023 legislative change that lifted a 26-year ban on these grants for incarcerated individuals.
When Congress lifted the ban on Pell Grants for incarcerated individuals in 2023, COCC was one of the first institutions in the country to apply for and receive the national grant certification.
Tony Russell, instructional dean at Central Oregon Community College, emphasized the program's importance. "This program exemplifies COCC's commitment to educational access and we're so excited to reach this milestone with our first graduating class," Russell said.
Under the guidance of COCC biology professor Emma Chaput, the college introduced a fully accredited, cohort-modeled associate degree program. Approximately 30 adults in custody are enrolled in the program during the academic year, out of about 1,100 at Deer Ridge.
COCC instructors travel to the facility to teach subjects that have included biology, history, communication, and human development. The degree awarded is a transfer award, designed to allow students to continue their college studies upon release.
The RAND Corporation conducted a study indicating that recidivism rates for adults in custody who earn an associate degree fall to 13.7%. For those who earn their GED in prison, recidivism rates drop to 50%.
The college provides a range of instructional services at Deer Ridge through a contract established in 2008 with the Oregon Department of Corrections. These educational services include Adult Basic Skills classes and a welding program, anchored by a state-mandated GED prep program.
Welding students will also be awarded certificates at the June 9th commencement ceremony. GED students enrolled in the program will be recognized at a later ceremony.
