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In a rarely seen display of hope behind bars, incarcerated students in Washington D.C. celebrated a unique achievement: graduation from a coding class developed by MIT and Georgetown. The class is part of the Brave Behind Bars program, a growing initiative that offers high-quality tech education to incarcerated individuals, equipping them with skills for a better future. Despite the prison setting, students demonstrated resilience and determination, building websites and earning certificates that may one day open the doors to meaningful employment post-release.
I. Empowering Through Education Behind Bars
1. A Milestone Within Walls
On a warm November day, students at the DC jail’s Correctional Treatment Facility completed a 12-week coding course in partnership with MIT and Georgetown. They proudly received certificates for their hard work in website development, joining over 200 Brave Behind Bars alumni nationwide. Although the prison environment imposed restrictions, the sense of accomplishment was no less real.
2. Behind the Celebration
The event had its own version of a graduation ceremony: lemonade, cupcakes, sandwiches, and photographs with mentors like Marisa Gaetz, co-founder of Brave Behind Bars. Students couldn’t keep their certificates due to security concerns, a reminder of the limitations within correctional facilities. Despite this, the pride on their faces was unmistakable.
II. Learning Under Constraints
1. Limited Access, Unlimited Drive
While inmates outside the class may use secure tablets for limited digital interaction, the coding students had controlled access to laptops and a whitelist of pre-approved websites. Despite time limits and constant monitoring, the students used their hours effectively, learning to code and collaborate under strict conditions.
2. Other Vocational Opportunities
Next door to the coding class, detainees learned telecom repair—a skill that could lead to six-figure incomes if combined with release and employment opportunities. Instructor Timothy Saunders stressed safety and discipline, noting no security issues in the class thus far.
3. An Uphill Battle for Prison Education
Prison education programs remain underfunded despite proven benefits in reducing recidivism. The 1994 crime bill cut federal funding, and only in 2020 did legislators restore it. However, most incarcerated people still face limited access to quality education, especially those without high school diplomas.
III. The Origin of Brave Behind Bars
1. A Shift in Perspective
Brave Behind Bars began after Gaetz attended a prison philosophy class in 2016. The experience reshaped her perception of incarcerated individuals. Inspired by a classmate’s comment on being treated as a person and a student, Gaetz later co-founded the coding program during the pandemic alongside Emily Harberg and Martin Nisser.
2. Learning Beyond Coding
While students learned HTML and CSS, they also built confidence, discipline, and teamwork. Many arrive unsure of their abilities and leave having created functional websites—real digital portfolios reflecting their personal interests and growth.
IV. Stories from Inside
1. Iesha “Tazz” Marks
Tazz, the class’s only female student, used her coding skills to build a website for survivors of domestic abuse. Her personal story of trauma and legal battles illustrates the transformative power of education. Though she remains incarcerated awaiting trial, her project stands as a beacon of hope.
2. Reentry Sisters and Other Initiatives
Some of Brave Behind Bars’ early female graduates formed Reentry Sisters, a resource for women reintegrating into society. Their website includes helpful content and inspirational stories—proof that the coding skills learned inside can make a real-world impact.
V. From Prisoner to Professional
1. Steve Johnson’s Journey
After his 2021 release, Steve Johnson struggled to find employment due to his record. A call to Gaetz’s former professor led him to the Brave Behind Bars program. After graduating, he stayed on as a teaching assistant and took freelance tech jobs. He now serves on an advisory board and recently joined a 17-week business incubator.
2. Hope Amid Bias
Despite his qualifications, Johnson wonders if he’s hired for his skills or his past. He dreams of running his own company, where hiring is based on merit, not criminal history. His story reflects the difficulty of post-prison reintegration—what many call a “double sentence.”
Conclusion
The Brave Behind Bars program is not just about teaching code. It’s about rebuilding lives, offering second chances, and challenging society’s assumptions about people behind bars. By providing meaningful education and digital literacy, it aims to unlock opportunities that extend beyond prison walls. For many, the classroom is the first place they’ve felt seen, capable, and empowered. And while changing public perception may take longer than debugging lines of code, these students are already rewriting their stories.
