Georgetown University Prisons and Justice Initiative

04/22/2025

Join us on Wednesday, April 30 at 7 p.m. in Lohrfink Auditorium, as 2025 Making an Exoneree students present their documentaries—the culmination of months of on-the-ground reinvestigation, interviews, and research into wrongful conviction cases from across the country. Each documentary reveals how these individuals were wrongfully convicted and offers a glimpse into the lives they were forced to leave behind.

Register now: https://bit.ly/3YEUwPe

02/25/2025

"Investing in higher education in prisons and jails is an investment in public safety, economic growth and the promise of redemption." - Jasmine L. Tyler, executive director of the Justice Policy Institute and a professor at Georgetown University.

Virginia should expand higher education in prisons and jails as a public safety and workforce development strategy, the Justice Policy Institute’s Jasmine L. Tyler writes in a guest column.

01/28/2025

Noa and Shaka's inspiring story shows the impact prison education programs can have on college campuses. By connecting students with those affected by incarceration, these programs break down barriers, reshape perspectives, and inspire meaningful change. Read more of their story:

The relationship changed both of their lives.

01/08/2025

📣 Applications for the MORCA-Georgetown Paralegal Program are now open through Feb. 9! If you are a returning citizen interested in continuing your education and pursuing a career in law, apply for this great opportunity: https://bit.ly/MORCA-GU-Paralegal-Program

12/31/2024

In 2024, we’ve made significant progress in advancing justice and creating opportunities for those affected by the legal system. From celebrating the academic and professional accomplishments of PJI programs participants to advocating for individuals impacted by wrongful convictions, our efforts highlight the importance of second chances.

Read more about the accomplishments throughout the year! https://prisonsandjustice.georgetown.edu/news/celebrating-the-progress-made-in-2024/

12/30/2024

In partnership with MIT, PJI is helping incarcerated individuals develop coding skills that open up new possibilities for their futures. Education is a powerful tool for change, and we’re proud to be part of this effort.

Learn more about the coding class:

Graduation day dawns sunny and warm for the first day of November, but the weather hardly matters for the joint MIT-Georgetown coding class, which takes place at the Correctional Treatment Facility, one of the two facilities that make up the DC jail complex.

12/23/2024

For incarcerated people and their families, the holidays can be a painful reminder of time lost away from loved ones. However, for the first time in decades, both Gary Benloss and Rodney Derrickson will be spending this holiday season reunited with their families.

Benloss and Derrickson, who spent a combined 52 years wrongfully incarcerated, were released from prison just 25 days apart––Benloss on November 20 and Derrickson on December 15––becoming the 10th and 11th people to come home with support from the Making an Exoneree (MAE) program.

“In the past few weeks, I saw two groups of former MAE students, several years apart, drop everything in their lives to welcome home two incredible men,” PJI Director Marc Howard said. “This demonstrates the power of our program’s model based on student investigation and advocacy, and it gives me so much hope for justice and compassion.” Read more:

For incarcerated people and their families, the holidays can be a painful reminder of time lost away from loved ones. However, for the first time in decades, both Gary Benloss and Rodney Derrickson will be spending this holiday season reunited with their families. Benloss and Derrickson, who spent a...

12/03/2024

Today is ! Join us in our effort to expand educational opportunities for individuals impacted by the legal system.

Give now: https://bit.ly/Give-to-PJI

12/02/2024

Congratulations to the Debate Team for their incredible victory against James Madison University! 🏆

Seven students from the Prison Scholars Program took the stage and showcased their talent, dedication, and hard work.

Held at the U.S. District Court for DC, debate participants were cheered on by both a live and virtual audience. We couldn’t be prouder of our scholars and the entire team for this amazing accomplishment.

11/14/2024

We’re hiring! We’re looking for a Patuxent Institution Site Coordinator to support daily operations of the Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree program for incarcerated scholars. Apply today: https://bit.ly/Site-Coordinator

11/07/2024

PJI was thrilled to recently welcome Anthony “Tony” Mills home! Tony spent 18 years in prison, despite overwhelming evidence showing he could not have been at the scene of the crime.

Tony was granted parole, a form of early release, after Princeton University and Georgetown Law students from the spring 2024 cohort reinvestigated his case and supported his release. The Making an Exoneree team was overjoyed to see him reunited with his family and remains committed to fighting for his full exoneration.

As he builds his new life, Tony looks forward to regaining lost time with his loved ones and enjoying one of his greatest joys—jogging in the open air. Please join us in welcoming Tony home! ❤️

10/03/2024

In honor of Paralegal Week, we celebrate the accomplishments of all the hardworking MORCA-Georgetown Paralegal Program alums who make efforts each day to help create a more just legal system.

09/30/2024

After overcoming a wrongful conviction, recent Paralegal Program graduate Elon Royster has dedicated his life to helping others. We're proud to celebrate his incredible journey and recent graduation from our program. Learn more about his inspiring story:

As Elon Royster graduates from a paralegal program, the day was a reminder of where he’s going and also where he has been. “Just want to help people that went through what I went through, experiencing what I’m experiencing,” Royster said. “It’s not just about being unjust, experiencing u...

09/04/2024

Congratulations to the Georgetown University Prison Scholars for completing another successful summer semester!

A special thanks to the Paralegal Program Fellows, who joined as keynote speakers and shared an inspiring message during the event.

Stay tuned for more updates as we kick off the fall semester. 📚✨

07/18/2024

Donna Hockman is serving a life sentence in a Virginia prison for the shooting of her abusive ex-boyfriend in an act of self-defense. A myriad of photos, 911 calls, and messages documenting the horrific abuse Hockman experienced were ignored by law enforcement and prosecutors. Throughout her trial, the state relied on the testimony of witnesses who have since recanted or admitted to lying under oath due to pressure from the prosecution.

Through the course at Georgetown University, students reinvestigated Hockman’s case and are advocating for her freedom. Hockman, who is a devoted mother of two, advocate, and writer, hopes to someday reunite with her children.

Watch now:

Donna Hockman is serving a life sentence in a Virginia prison for the shooting of her abusive ex-boyfriend in an act of self-defense. A myriad of photos, 911...

07/15/2024

“There are many more people like me inside DC Jail and in prisons throughout the country. Given the opportunity, they will make the most of their second chances. It’s on all of us to see them not as ‘inmates’ or ‘felons,’ but instead focus on their potential for redemption.”

Read more in this insightful op-ed written by Colie “Shaka” Long, program associate at the Prisons and Justice Initiative: https://bit.ly/4cGDi9o

The documentary District of Second Chances screened in the DC Jail in February.

06/25/2024

As we prepare for the upcoming semester, we're collecting books and school supplies to help currently incarcerated students pursue their education. Your support can help ensure each student has access to the academic resources they need to succeed!

Donate supplies today via Amazon Wish List: https://bit.ly/4b2k8cd

06/24/2024

One man’s lie to avoid 50 years in prison has cost Robert Ochala, an innocent man, 22 years behind bars for a crime he didn’t commit.

Through the course at Georgetown University, students reinvestigated Ochala’s case and created this documentary to advocate for his freedom.

Would you lie to save yourself from 50 years in prison? One man did, and now Robert Ochala, an innocent man, has been wrongfully incarcerated for 22 years fo...