Higher Education Behind Bars in Khmelnytskyi
In 2025, two inmates at the Khmelnytskyi pre-trial detention center successfully defended their theses and earned university degrees. This achievement was made possible through a remote learning program that included exam preparation and testing. The facility's administration signed memoranda with Khmelnytskyi National University and Lyceum No. 15, enabling the prisoners to gain qualifications in their chosen fields. Such educational programs are increasingly seen as vital tools for rehabilitation and reducing recidivism.
Acting Deputy Head of the detention center, Ivan Holinskyi, noted that the inmates were given the opportunity to prepare for their exams, which led to their successful thesis defenses.
"We provided them with the chance to prepare for their exams. They passed them successfully, meaning they received their diplomas and graduated. There are also others who wish to enroll," Holinskyi emphasized.
Currently, three more individuals are preparing to enter higher education, while twelve others are completing their full secondary education.
Success Stories and How the Program Works
One of the graduates, Illia, who had been in custody for 11 months, earned a qualification as a logistics specialist in railway transport. He shared his experience, stating:
"I prepared for this and dreamed about it. And here, in this institution, I was able to get closer to my childhood dream."Illia also explained that his grandmother worked on the railway, and he wants to continue her work in her memory.
The educational process is organized remotely via online platforms, specifically Google Classroom. The director of Lyceum No. 15, Alla Kiiashchuk, explained that teachers monitor the learning process, assign grades, and completed tasks are submitted for feedback.
"It is provided using online platforms, and feedback is also ensured by sending completed assignments to the Google Classroom," Kiiashchuk reported.
Thus, the Khmelnytskyi detention center is demonstrating initiative in providing educational opportunities for inmates, aiding their socialization and development during their sentences.
This case points to positive changes within Ukraine's penitentiary education system, opening new avenues for inmate development. Distance learning not only allows them to gain an education but also helps improve the morale of those serving sentences and facilitates their future social reintegration after release. Initiatives like this can serve as a model for other institutions, underscoring the importance of education in the rehabilitation and resocialization of convicted individuals.