Escaping from prison based on a meticulous plan tattooed over the whole body, in other words the Prison Break scenario (popular American television series), is certainly one way of doing it. What usually follows is the misery of a fugitive’s life. That was at least what happened to Michael Scofield and Lincoln Burrows, the two main protagonists of the series.
Another surely less adventurous but more rewarding option is what two young prisoners at Abovian prison have opted for.
Davit Tsatourian and Davit Arakelian have probably committed the crimes for which they are behind bars but cannot surely be accused of treason to the nation (read my previous post).
They have decided to start their higher education studies this fall. They hope to complete their Bachelor's degree programs in 4 years, and to be able to stand on their feet and live decent lives when they are eventually released.
According to Hayots Ashkharh daily dated 28 August 2008, the two prisoners have applied to the Armenian Institute of Ecology, Economics and Law (AIEEL) and were allowed by their prison’s administration to take the admissions tests last week.
Both Davits wish to major in Ecological Studies. The program will be offered in a hybrid format composed of mostly distance learning and some face-to-face lectures that will require the instructors to hold classes at the prison.
AIEEL is the Armenian branch of Moscow-based International Independent University of Environmental and Political Sciences. AIEEL received its state license in 2000 and obtained state accreditation in 2002. (In Armenia, the use of words ‘university’ and ‘institute’ are not regulated. Moreover, state accreditation does not signify or ensure quality instruction mainly due to insufficient accreditation procedure, vague accreditation criteria and widespread corruption).
AIEEL will charge each convict an annual tuition fee of 600 USD that will be borne by their families.
Although this is not the first such experience in Armenia, I hope it will be monitored and analyzed by social workers as well as by the Ministry of Justice in vu of extending it to more prisons and prisoners in the future. In which case, solutions should be found for applicants who either have no families or when their families are unable or unwilling to pay for their studies.
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Another surely less adventurous but more rewarding option is what two young prisoners at Abovian prison have opted for.
Davit Tsatourian and Davit Arakelian have probably committed the crimes for which they are behind bars but cannot surely be accused of treason to the nation (read my previous post).
They have decided to start their higher education studies this fall. They hope to complete their Bachelor's degree programs in 4 years, and to be able to stand on their feet and live decent lives when they are eventually released.
According to Hayots Ashkharh daily dated 28 August 2008, the two prisoners have applied to the Armenian Institute of Ecology, Economics and Law (AIEEL) and were allowed by their prison’s administration to take the admissions tests last week.
Both Davits wish to major in Ecological Studies. The program will be offered in a hybrid format composed of mostly distance learning and some face-to-face lectures that will require the instructors to hold classes at the prison.
AIEEL is the Armenian branch of Moscow-based International Independent University of Environmental and Political Sciences. AIEEL received its state license in 2000 and obtained state accreditation in 2002. (In Armenia, the use of words ‘university’ and ‘institute’ are not regulated. Moreover, state accreditation does not signify or ensure quality instruction mainly due to insufficient accreditation procedure, vague accreditation criteria and widespread corruption).
AIEEL will charge each convict an annual tuition fee of 600 USD that will be borne by their families.
Although this is not the first such experience in Armenia, I hope it will be monitored and analyzed by social workers as well as by the Ministry of Justice in vu of extending it to more prisons and prisoners in the future. In which case, solutions should be found for applicants who either have no families or when their families are unable or unwilling to pay for their studies.
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