Southaven Resident Gives Keynote Speech as 51 Inmates Graduate Re-Entry Academy

PARCHMAN, Miss. – July 31, 2025 — A total of 51 inmates at the Mississippi State Penitentiary graduated this week from the Unit 25 Reentry Academy, a program designed to prepare incarcerated individuals for successful reintegration into society.

Held in the chapel of Unit 30, the ceremony highlighted personal growth and the transformative power of opportunity. The graduates are part of a broader initiative that has seen nearly 800 individuals complete the program statewide over the past two years.

The Reentry Academy provides life skills, educational support, and personal development tools to help reduce recidivism and promote long-term success after release.

Keynote speaker Stacy Dodd, a former inmate who now works as a mentor and motivational speaker, delivered a message of hope, urging graduates to remain focused and committed to positive change.

Warden Patricia Doty praised the graduates for their perseverance, noting the visible transformation many had undergone throughout the program. “They came in uncertain,” she said, “but they leave with strength and purpose.”

The program’s success was credited to the leadership and teamwork of Warden Doty, Deputy Commissioner Kelley Christopher, and the Unit 25 team, including Correctional Team Lead Chiquita Jones, Case Manager Linda Collins, and Academic Teacher Kimberly Meeks.

Deputy Commissioner Christopher emphasized the importance of rehabilitation within the correctional system, calling the academy a symbol of second chances and restoration.

The newly graduated men will now join a growing number of returning citizens working to rebuild their lives and contribute to their communities with dignity and direction.