*UPDATE* On June 23, 2010, a record 184 inmates graduated from the Central Utah Academy at the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison, Utah. This figure was up 78 graduates over the 2009 number - a nearly 74 percent increase.DRAPER — She dropped out of school at the age of 14, just after her first son was born. For the next 12 years, Patricia Staley’s life spiraled out of control. She had three children by 19 and lost custody of all of them before her 21st birthday. She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and began struggling with a pain-pill habit. She started sleeping all day, made several attempts to take her own life, and ultimately landed at the Utah State Prison at the age of 26 on a burglary conviction.
“It was short-sighted to think I should just end it,” Staley said. “But by the time I realized that, it was too late to go back and tell myself that I should be fighting for my kids.”
When reality set in, Staley finally began picking up the pieces. Now 28, she has shed nearly 50 pounds, established structure in her life, and graduated from Ex-Cell (the prison’s substance-abuse program for women).
To top it off, Staley is looking forward to an accomplishment many of her peers achieved 10 years ago. She will receive her high-school diploma and address her fellow classmates at the Utah State Prison’s commencement ceremonies on Tuesday, June 1.
“I learned to lead, to manage, to delegate,” she said. “Sometimes people have to trust you before you trust yourself.”
Now, Staley said she would like to work at the school in effort to give back. She has a parole date set for October and wants to regain custody of her oldest, 13-year-old son. Her other son and daughter were adopted by a good family, but Staley’s experiences left her hoping to work with teenage mothers who are going through similar struggles.
“I hated me so bad, but I’ve changed the things I didn’t like. Now, I love me,” Staley said. It’s all up to me now.”
South Park Academy will hold two separate commencement ceremonies on June 1. About 370 inmates - the most in prison history - will receive their diplomas.
“It was short-sighted to think I should just end it,” Staley said. “But by the time I realized that, it was too late to go back and tell myself that I should be fighting for my kids.”
When reality set in, Staley finally began picking up the pieces. Now 28, she has shed nearly 50 pounds, established structure in her life, and graduated from Ex-Cell (the prison’s substance-abuse program for women).
To top it off, Staley is looking forward to an accomplishment many of her peers achieved 10 years ago. She will receive her high-school diploma and address her fellow classmates at the Utah State Prison’s commencement ceremonies on Tuesday, June 1.
Staley said she always loved school, but the team of teachers at the prison’s South Park Academy – under the jurisdiction of the new Canyons School District – inspired her to change.
“I learned to lead, to manage, to delegate,” she said. “Sometimes people have to trust you before you trust yourself.”
Now, Staley said she would like to work at the school in effort to give back. She has a parole date set for October and wants to regain custody of her oldest, 13-year-old son. Her other son and daughter were adopted by a good family, but Staley’s experiences left her hoping to work with teenage mothers who are going through similar struggles.
“I hated me so bad, but I’ve changed the things I didn’t like. Now, I love me,” Staley said. It’s all up to me now.”
South Park Academy will hold two separate commencement ceremonies on June 1. About 370 inmates - the most in prison history - will receive their diplomas.
News stories:
Photos by Steve Gehrke
Top: Inmate Alexander Gibson addresses his fellow 2010 classmates at the South Park Academy graduation ceremonies.
Middle: Utah State Prison Warden Steve Turley speaks to the South Park Academy class of 2010.
Bottom: Inmates listen to South Park Academy principal Lory Curtis as he addresses the class.
