EAST MOLINE — Inmates at East Moline Correctional Center have begun a Bachelor of Arts program through Augustana College.
State officials say 10 students began their studies at the end of the summer. They take classes taught by professors who lecture on the same subjects at the Rock Island campus in Augustana.
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This is the first BA program offered to East Moline inmates in over 20 years.
The initial program offers a major in communication studies with other majors to be added. The liberal arts curriculum includes history, literature, math, foreign languages, religion, science, and the arts.
Illinois Department of Corrections Director Rob Jeffreys said a college degree is essential for people in custody who want to turn their lives around and support their families financially.
Rodrigo Carrillo, director of strategic initiatives and planning for the Illinois Housing Development Authority, said the state will finish reviewing applications for housing assistance before the eviction moratorium expires Oct. 3.
“While there is a negative national narrative that states aren’t getting their money, we’re very proud that Illinois is doing the opposite,” Carrillo said. “We donate the funds to those in need.”
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Augustana modeled its program on the Bard Prison Initiative. It was featured in the 2019 PBS documentary “College Behind Bars.”
Students in Augustana’s Correctional Education Program pay no tuition or course fees. The program is funded by the Austin E. Knowlton Foundation.
Photos: How to replace an 8 million pound railroad bridge truss over the Mississippi River
The Merchants’ Bridge gets a makeover
People watch from a special riverboat cruise as workers lift a new bridge truss (right) into place on the Merchants Bridge over the Mississippi River in St. Louis Friday, Sept. 17, 2021. This is the first of three trusses to be lifted into place for the $222 million project. Each truss section weighs over 8 million pounds and is built in Wisconsin and transported to St. Louis, where it is assembled and installed. The bridge was originally built in 1890. The reconstruction project will widen the bridge allowing for two sets of tracks and will double rail traffic each day. Photo by Colter Peterson, [email protected]
Colter Peterson
The Merchants’ Bridge gets a makeover
Crews lift a new bridge truss, right, into place on the Merchants Bridge over the Mississippi River in St. Louis Friday, Sept. 17, 2021. This is the first of three trusses to be lifted into place for the $222 million project. Each truss section weighs 8.6 million pounds and is built in Wisconsin and transported to St. Louis, where it is assembled and installed. The bridge was originally built in 1890. The reconstruction project will widen the bridge allowing rail traffic to double every day. Photo by Colter Peterson, [email protected]
Colter Peterson
The Merchants’ Bridge gets a makeover
Crews lift a new bridge truss into place on the Merchants Bridge over the Mississippi River in St. Louis Friday, Sept. 17, 2021. This is the first of three trusses to be lifted into place for the $222 million project of dollars. Each truss section weighs 8.6 million pounds and is built in Wisconsin and transported to St. Louis, where it is assembled and installed. The bridge was originally built in 1890. The reconstruction project will widen the bridge allowing rail traffic to double every day. Photo by Colter Peterson, [email protected]
Colter Peterson
The Merchants’ Bridge gets a makeover
Crews lift a new bridge truss into place on the Merchants Bridge over the Mississippi River in St. Louis Friday, Sept. 17, 2021. This is the first of three trusses to be lifted into place for the $222 million project of dollars. Each truss section weighs 8.6 million pounds and is built in Wisconsin and transported to St. Louis, where it is assembled and installed. The bridge was originally built in 1890. The reconstruction project will widen the bridge allowing rail traffic to double every day. Photo by Colter Peterson, [email protected]
Colter Peterson
The Merchants’ Bridge gets a makeover
Bob Wagoner, left, Jane Louer, center, and Ron Goldfeder watch from a riverboat as crews set up a new deck truss on the Merchants Bridge over the Mississippi River in St. Louis on Friday, the 17th September 2021. This is the first of three trusses to be lifted in place for the $222 million project. Each truss section weighs 8.6 million pounds and is built in Wisconsin and transported to St. Louis, where it is assembled and installed. The bridge was originally built in 1890. The reconstruction project will widen the bridge allowing rail traffic to double every day. Photo by Colter Peterson, [email protected]
Colter Peterson
The Merchants’ Bridge gets a makeover
The McKinley Bridge is seen in the foreground as crews lift a new bridge truss into place on the Merchants Bridge over the Mississippi River in St. Louis Friday, Sept. 17, 2021. This is the first of three trusses to be lifted in place for the $222 million project. Each truss section weighs 8.6 million pounds and is built in Wisconsin and transported to St. Louis, where it is assembled and installed. The bridge was originally built in 1890. The reconstruction project will widen the bridge allowing rail traffic to double every day. Photo by Colter Peterson, [email protected]
Colter Peterson
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