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Jacksonville inmates get a second chance at success

More than a dozen Jacksonville inmates have a second chance at success.

On Friday they graduated from the Richard A. McKissik Memorial DAWN Program.

Since 1996 more than 400 incarcerated adults have obtained GEDs through the program.

Graduate Terrell Wright said, “I graduated from the DAWN Program. It’s the best thing in the world.

Probably will send me off to bigger and better things.”

Instructors said the program is setting them up for success after their sentences, making them assets to the community.

Officer Deon Johnson said, “Transitioning services in conjunction with the DAWN Program finds jobs for them so they become gainfully employed.”

He said some of the graduates have completed their sentences and are already in the process of finding jobs.