Mississippi Delta Community College Expands Prison Education Program and Prepares for First Graduation

Mississippi Delta Community College (MDCC) has expanded its Prison Education Program (PEP) this semester, establishing classes at four additional correctional facilities across the Delta. Through new Memoranda of Understanding with the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC), courses are now underway at Delta Correctional Facility, Issaquena County Correctional Facility and Washington County Correctional Facility, with classes at Bolivar County Correctional Facility scheduled to begin later this semester.

This expansion builds on MDCC’s five years of experience operating a prison education program at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman. With SACSCOC approval already secured for Parchman and federal approval from the Department of Education pending, which will allow Pell Grant eligibility, the college is expanding its mission of access and opportunity to more incarcerated students across its seven-county district.

The fall semester will also mark a historic milestone for MDCC, as the first cohort of PEP students at Parchman is expected to graduate. Planning for a graduation ceremony is underway.

“MDCC continues to fulfill its mission of enhancing our communities through its steadfast commitment to students who are incarcerated in the institutions located in our district,” said Dr. Ben Cloyd, Vice President of Enrollment Management. “The growth of our PEP programs is due to the consistent achievement of our students, who are demonstrating every day that the power of education is an unstoppable force. In supporting an educational pathway at five locations, MDCC is operating as not just a state leader, but a national leader in redefining what is possible both for individuals as well as our existing systems.”

Dr. Valarie Morgan, Vice President of Instruction and Accreditation/Provost, emphasized the long-term vision of the program. “We are proud to expand our prison education program into four new sites this fall, deepening our commitment to providing transformative, high-quality education to incarcerated students. This growth builds on the strong foundation laid by Dr. Cloyd, whose vision and dedication have made this work possible. We remain steadfast in our belief that education is a powerful tool for change, and we are honored to continue this mission with excellence and purpose.”

In addition to administrative leadership, MDCC faculty and staff who serve PEP students see firsthand the difference these opportunities make.

“I am genuinely excited about this growth because it represents more than just numbers—it represents new opportunities, second chances, and the belief that education can truly transform lives,” said Ja’Coby Braboy, Recruiter and Special Populations Navigator. “This is another step in the right direction for our college and for the individuals we are reaching. To be involved in something this meaningful is an honor, and I am grateful to play a part in a program that continues to make a lasting difference.”

Faculty members echo the impact. Carrie Bennett, MDCC History Instructor, said, “Teaching to two new facilities, Washington and Issaquena, this semester has been a great experience so far and I am grateful to have the opportunity to teach to so many new students who are enthused about learning. My PEP students are some of my most dedicated and hardest-working students, making my role as their instructor even more fulfilling.”

To sustain and expand the program, MDCC is pursuing grant funding to support the hiring of a PEP coordinator and an academic advisor who will serve incarcerated students across all participating facilities. The long-term vision is to offer a full range of degree and career pathway options, ensuring that students can pursue educational goals that align with their needs and aspirations.

The success of MDCC’s Prison Education Program underscores the college’s belief that education is transformative—not only for students, but also for families and communities across the Delta.