Education may not be one of the first things that comes to mind when you think of incarceration. However, for those serving time in the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center (ADC), some have the opportunity to complete their education and earn either their high school diploma or their GED.

During the 2024-2025 school year, four inmates earned their high school diploma, and 13 earned their GED. Fairfax County Sheriff Stacey Kincaid celebrated six of those graduates who were present June 12.

“As we celebrate these, it is important to remember the challenges and obstacles they have had to overcome to get to this point,” Sheriff Kincaid said. “People don’t come to jail to complete their education. But each of the graduates, as well as those who put in the time to complete courses, are making the most of their time here. I hope this success is an inspiration for them to continue to better themselves.”

Educating the inmates at the ADC is a partnership between the Fairfax County Public Schools and the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office, and several Fairfax County School Board members and members of the Fairfax County Public School system attended the graduation ceremony. During her keynote speech, Assistant Superintendent of the Department of School Improvement and Supports Marie Lemmon, congratulated the student inmates on their achievement. She also encouraged them to continue down this road of self-improvement.

For the past 14 years, Meghean Rustia has been the education coordinator at the ADC, leading the way for these unique students to reach their educational goals. Speaking to the graduates and students in attendance, Rustia told them how proud she is of their accomplishments. She said jail is not the most conducive study environment and the fact that they have stayed with it, they did the work, took the tests, applied themselves, spoke volumes of what they are capable of.  

“People who come into the ADC come from all walks of life, and they generally are not here for very long, so it makes it difficult to get them to the finish line,” Rustia said. “Some may be a few classes away from completing their high school diploma, some may have difficulty completing basic scholastic applications.”

One graduate who left the ADC in April, wrote a letter that Rustia read at graduation. He wrote of the challenges of staying focused while in jail due to distractions both inside the jail as well as outside. Another graduate who earned his high school diploma, spoke about finding ways to apply himself to reach his educational goals. He knows education will help him create a better life for himself and to “bring honor to his family.”

Walking the graduation stage and receiving a certificate is a big deal for any student. For the graduates of the ADC education program, it’s a statement of application. Using their time productively to achieve something that can help set their life toward a better path.

Sheriff Kincaid closed the ceremony telling the inmate students how big this accomplishment is. “Nobody can take this away from you. Nobody.”