​By, Jessica Snow

When Dr. Stanley Andrisse shares his story in From Prison Cells to PhD: It’s Never Too Late, we receive humbling responses of meaning and connection from those who can empathize with Dr. Andrisse’s path through the legal system and are inspired by his path through education to success
 
They say one should always attempt to “walk a mile in another’s shoes.”  It is a good and noble thing to attempt to understand where another person is coming from, to hear their story, and to learn from their perspective.  It is difficult for many, however, to truly empathize with a life spent under incarceration. 
 
Often, only those who have been there can fully comprehend the hopelessness felt by those incarcerated or the dehumanizing and shame-filled prison experience.  This letter, received from a reader inside a New York correctional facility, states how deeply impacting it was to hear from someone who understood the hurt and pain resulting from illegal involvement.

“[From Prison Cells to PhD: It’s Never Too Late to Do Good] came at the right time for me. Since preparing for the parole board, I have been re-evaluating my life. I have had to face some terrible truths and then re-live them mentally to ensure that I have addressed things from my past. Reading this book has affirmed to me that I have.”

While the difficulties of Dr. Andrisse’s experience were relatable to this reader, he further appreciated the positive outcomes of Dr. Andrisse’s pursuits and the avenues available in continuing education.  After completing his own associate’s degree in prison, our reader felt hope after Dr. Andrisse’s profession that “with education, the possibilities are endless.”
 
This reader plans to continue in his pursuit of a master’s degree and was inspired by the pathway Dr. Andrisse took from his prison cell in Missouri to the acquiring of this PhD and an eventual professorship at Howard University.
 
These stories are important. Our reader felt so encouraged that he stated, “My hope is that incarcerated individuals will have access to this book.” 
 
“For in spite of the history you carry or bad decisions you have made, I am convinced you can always do the right thing, even if it’s just being accountable and facing life head-on. Always do what’s right!”
 
We are more than our worst mistakes, and as incarcerated or formerly incarcerated men and women, we have plenty to offer our communities, families, and society.  We wish our reader all the best in his pursuit of education and much success in all his endeavors. All of P2P sincerely hopes that he will reach out to our organization and program in the future.
 
We are grateful that From Prison Cells to PhD: It’s Never Too Late was included in the library at Wende Correctional facility. We hope that others, like this reader, will find both common ground and inspiration in Dr. Andrisse’s story.  If you would like to get this book into the hands of professors, libraries, wardens, and colleagues that you know, or friends or family, you can find it here:
From Prison Cells to PhD: It is Never Too Late to Do Good: Andrisse MBA PhD, Stanley: 9781642939408: Amazon.com: Books

Read the full letter:

By, Jessica Snow

​When we share our stories, the highlights, and the hard parts, it opens the door to invite others into our lives.  The transparency of sharing allows others to connect with where we have been and invites them along our journey. When someone can say “I’ve been there,”  or “I know how this feels” or, “I thought I was the only one” or “Me too” there is a moment of connection -we can feel less alone and learn from one another as we go.

When Dr. Stanley Andrisse shares his story in From Prison Cells to PhD: It’s Never Too Late, we receive humbling responses of meaning and connection from those who can empathize with Dr. Andrisse’s path through the legal system, and are inspired by his path through education to success. 

The sharing of our stories must be authentic, and it is this authenticity that drew this student from Oregon further into reading.  He found Dr. Andrisse’s demeanor, displayed through his experiences, relatable saying,

This student also shared the hope he felt reading about the advocacy efforts described in From Prison Cells to PhD: It’s Never Too Late.  Readers need to hear and see that the world is being educated that felonies, or past mistakes, do not define us or our futures. 

We are grateful that From Prison Cells to PhD: It’s Never Too Late was incorporated into the curriculum at Chemeketa Community College.  If you would like to get this book into the hands of professors, libraries wardens, colleagues that you know, or friends or family, you can find it here:
From Prison Cells to PhD: It is Never Too Late to Do Good: Andrisse MBA PhD, Stanley: 9781642939408: Amazon.com: Books