By Rita Hart

Staff writer

ST. LUCIE COUNTY - They went into jail with criminal records. They will leave with a brighter future.

On June 4, a graduation ceremony was held at St. Lucie County Jail for 47 inmates who voluntarily joined one or more inmate programs. The graduates were awarded GED certificates through Indian River Community College, substance abuse program certificates or culinary program certificates. Several graduated from more than one program.

Shannon Disher, who completed the substance abuse program, said she expects to be released from jail this week. She's been in jail before, but because she completed the 90-day program, she feels this time is different.

"I plan to do another 90-day program when I leave here," said Ms. Disher. "I feel a lot more confident I won't be back this time."

The program began in 2003 at the suggestion of Diamond Litty, public defender for the 19th Judicial Circuit. Initially intended to help inmates find jobs after leaving jail, the program was expanded last year as a way to help inmates improve their lives as they re-enter society.

"They've not done time, they've redeemed the time," said jail chaplain David Thompson in his invocation. "They are truly men and women of hope."

Ms. Litty was a guest speaker at the graduation ceremony.

"We are so very proud of you," Ms. Litty told the graduating class. "You have managed to turn something negative into a positive and all of us here know how difficult that is. To accomplish great things in this setting is extraordinary."

Robert Coleman, a graduate of the culinary program, said he has already been offered a job as a chef at Duffy's Sports Bar & Grill in St. Lucie West upon his release later this month.

"It was a long six-week course," said Mr. Coleman, who is looking forward to his new career. "And we all have the option to go to IRCC to continue college credits."

William L. Roby, Chief Judge of the 19th Judicial Circuit, attended the graduation, and praised Ms. Litty after the ceremony for her efforts in bettering the lives of men and women in jail.

"She is an outstanding public defender and a dynamic community leader who goes above and beyond the call of duty in everything she does," said Judge Roby. "This is a perfect example of her acting as a community partner."

Ms. Litty didn't want the day to be about her, however.

"You owe it to yourselves and this community to be ambassadors of how, with perseverance and hard work, you can be anything you want to be," she told the graduates.

Many of those graduating agreed.

"We wanted to better our lives and be regular people, not criminals," said Clay Dowell, a graduate of the culinary program.

Employers interested in hiring graduates of the inmate programs are asked to contact Maj. F. Patrick Tighe, director of St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office Department of Detention, at (772) 462-3396.