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From Prison To Phd The Redemption And Rejection Of Michelle Jones

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In the article “From Prison to Ph.D.: The Redemption and Rejection of Michelle Jones”, by Eli Hager, she touches upon the concept of second chances especially for those who have previously been incarcerated. Hager appeared to be a strong supporter of Michelle Jones’ determination and perseverance. Despite the fact that Michelle Jones murdered her 4 year old child, Hager still admired Michelle Jones for making it through prison and wanting to exceed herself. Hager believed that after 20 years in prison, a woman of her caliber should not be judged by her previous and old misdeeds, but by the person she has grown and matured to be.

Recently there have been several announcements of the banning of books in prisons. In the article “To Make …show more content…

Jones was trying vigorously to not only get out of prison but to get an education and soon enough a Phd in American studies. Although accepted to NYU doctoral program, she was among 18 who were selected from a plenty of students to Havard’s history program. In a rare override Harvard’s top brass overturned Jones's admission because according to some professors she played down her crime in the application process (Hager 1). This was completely unfair and Hager chose to incorporate this information because it was crucial to pinpoint the fact that she was accepted, and later on was declined because of the crime she had committed two decades ago. Hager believes in second chances and that everyone should have the same opportunity if they are willing to work hard. Understanding that Jone’s admission was mainly decided on her past, Hager recognize that not everyone shared her point of view. Moving on, in the case of banning books in prisons is something so arbitrary to author, Tariro Mzezewa. A study in 2013 found that people who participated in correctional education programs had a 43 percent lower odds to going back to jail, or committing similar crimes, than those who did not (Mzezewa 1). Author is trying to prove that books and other education systems in prisons should not be ban or removed but instead bettered and improved. Not only does it give inmates chances for a better life but it keeps them from making the same mistakes twice, and ending up were they

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