The journey of Stephen Akpuedike, a former prisoner who became a PhD candidate and Criminology lecturer, is a powerful illustration of how a life defined by criminal labels can be transformed through education. As Akpuedike notes, labels like "prisoner," "drug dealer," and "father" all conjure different pictures, but none of them define the whole person.
From Shock to Self-Discovery
Akpuedike's life was difficult from a young age, starting with the death of his father when he was a teenager. Feeling that the world was not a meritocracy, he pursued crime, leading to a 16-year sentence for dealing drugs. His time in prison was initially marked by silence and shock.
The turning point came when he was assessed for his educational potential and encouraged to enroll with the Open University. The greatest barrier he faced, however, was internal: he had left school with no formal qualifications, which had severely damaged his confidence.
He began his studies while working in the prison kitchens, eventually being forced to study at night in his cell, using his toilet as a makeshift desk after undergoing surgery. Completing his first module gave him a crucial sense of hope and focus. Although other prisoners questioned why he was "wasting his time" studying with a criminal record, he realized he loved learning, and that desire was enough to keep him going.
Education as a Tool for Change
Akpuedike served eight years of his 16-year sentence. By the time he was released, he had not only completed his first degree but two further Master's degrees. His next step was to get a job working with students in prisons—a role he achieved not in spite of who he was, but because of it. The first time he walked back into a prison as a lecturer and shook the governor's hand was a deeply symbolic moment of transformation.
His experience emphasizes several key points about rehabilitation:
Potential to Learn: Akpuedike insists he is not special; anyone can do this. With almost half of all prisoners leaving school without formal qualifications, the lack of a certificate should not be mistaken for a lack of potential. Everyone has the power and the capacity to change.
Reduced Reoffending: Research clearly shows that education does reduce reoffending. It allows former prisoners to develop different skills and make different choices, steering them away from crime.
The Power of Mentorship: By sharing his story with prisoners—telling them, "I was in your shoes, but I am now released, got a good job, got a good life"—he offers a tangible, living example of a different path. He believes his life might have been very different if he had met someone like himself when he was younger.
Ultimately, the word "prisoner" is just a label. The central question about the goal of prisons is whether it is primarily to punish or to help find a different path. Akpuedike found true freedom within his own mind, proving that there is "treasure" in the heart of every person—a capacity to learn and change one's life.
Posting Komentar