In 2018, Rockhurst established the Companions in Chillicothe program, providing educational opportunities for both incarcerated offenders and staff at the Chillicothe Correctional Center, located roughly an hour northeast of Kansas City. The all-female Chillicothe Correctional Center (CCC) houses over 1,500 inmates.
As a Jesuit institution dedicated to service and justice, Rockhurst’s partnership with Chillicothe is a natural expression of the university’s philosophy of education that is rooted in accompaniment. It allows the university to walk with incarcerated students down their own educational path, ultimately helping them become honorable members of society upon their release. Multiple studies have shown recidivism rates are reduced through educational programs like this, and students are much more likely to obtain and maintain employment upon release.
About the Companions in Chillicothe Program
Learn more about this transformative program inspired by our Jesuit identity.
Mission
The Companions at Chillicothe program provides an educational foundation for the prison staff and the inmate population at the Chillicothe Correctional Center, building confidence and self-esteem while also encouraging each person to take full advantage of their unique potential. Inspired by St. Ignatius Loyola, the program illustrates a commitment to creating a more just world through:
- Integrity
- Humility
- Tolerance
- Empathy
Who Is It For?
The Companions at Chillicothe program is a long-term commitment to the institution's inmates, staff, and local community. Rockhurst provides a transformative learning experience to the students, the teachers, and family members, assisting everyone involved to obtain:
- An educational foundation to improve their quality of life
- Greater opportunities to thrive
- Instill trust and confidence in the correctional system
Several classes are offered synchronously online with Rockhurst students, providing a true higher ed experience for the inmates and staff.
"I am so thankful, this opportunity has given me a reason to continue on in here. It's so much more than an education to me. This opportunity has saved my life."
– Lisa Suter
