Reflection on My Jesuit Education

By JR, a former student of Regis University’s prison education program

 March 12, 2026 – The ability to learn is something we all take for granted, but it is no small thing! We all have the ability to improve ourselves, to grow, and learn from our mistakes. In fact, I would say that learning is central to the human experience. After all, isn’t life all about learning about ourselves and what it means to be human? Prison is a harsh environment and it’s easy to forget that we are here to learn from our mistakes. The things that prison readily teaches are not likely to help anyone become a better person. That is why we need programs. I recently completed my first year of college courses through Regis University and it was a powerful experience.

The Jesuits bring a level of deep caring to their education programs that is sorely needed in this environment. They don’t just teach their curriculum, they teach their students values that really matter. They taught me that it is important to care for myself in all aspects of life. Cura personalis – care for the whole person, take time to care for your mental health as well as your physical. Pursue intellectual stimulation as well as emotional. They also taught me the concept of “Magis”. Where is the more universal good? A concept I had never thought to ask before.

When I was enrolled in these courses and I was interacting with my classes it felt like I was a part of something positive and powerful. This is an important feeling to foster in this environment! There is literally no overstating how much good these programs can do in prison. It is not an overstatement to say that college programs in carceral settings will save lives.

As I reflect on my own experience with Regis University, I am filled with gratitude for the professors who taught and ran the program I participated in. The devotion they showed and the effort they made to not only teach the classes, but to also show up in person and spend time with us really moved me. It shows how much the Jesuit, and Regis University in particular, care about the incarcerated population. How much they care for their students. Education can be an equalizer, differences are forgotten and barriers broken down as we all come together to learn. I experienced this phenomenon in my classes and it is important to encourage it whenever possible. I mention it because it can be so rare here.

In the grand scheme of things, this program was just the first step, only a semester worth of credits. However ,the value in terms of my confidence and the meaning it brought to my life was immense. I cannot say enough good things about the people at Regis University and about the Jesuit way.