For the first time in Summit County Jail history, an inmate has earned a high school diploma while still incarcerated, marking a milestone for the Summit County Sheriff’s Office’s Career Prep+ program.
The graduate, Demarkus Minter, attended weekly classes at the jail and remained committed to finishing his education despite being incarcerated. Minter was praised for his perseverance, with officials calling the moment a powerful example of how access to education can create opportunity and change outcomes.
“When you give inmates a chance at an education or a job after they’ve served their time, you’re giving them more than just the means to turn their lives around, you’re giving them a sense of self-worth and pride,” Summit County Sheriff Kandy Fatheree said in a Facebook post. “This is the only time I get to say this with a smile: I hope we never see them again!”…