In a small Michigan jail, something meaningful is happening. You can see it in the way learners show up early for class. You can feel it in the encouragement they give each other. And if you ask the educators behind it, they’ll tell you—it’s not just about passing a test. It’s about helping people believe in themselves again.
For longtime educator Nicole Hatch, Community Corrections Case Manager, teaching has always been about purpose. She’s been a principal, a college instructor, and has spent her life in classrooms. But she says nothing compares to the work she’s doing now in correctional education and rehabilitation.
“This is the most rewarding job I’ve ever had,” Hatch said. “It’s not always easy, but I’ve seen lives change—and I’ve felt myself grow right along with them.”
She is part of Alpena County’s I.G.N.I.T.E. (Inmate Growth Naturally and Intentionally Through Education) program, a structured education and reentry initiative made stronger with Orijin. I.G.N.I.T.E. is a nationally recognized program in county jails across eleven states, and sponsored by the National Sheriff’s Association. Since its launch, the program has helped incarcerated learners build skills, earn credentials, and discover what they’re capable of with access to tools and content they never had before. Last month alone, incarcerated learners earned 52 certificates, equipping them for sustainable employment, upon release.
More Than a Tablet—It’s a Tool for Hope and Growth
With Orijin’s flexible, evidence-based platform, incarcerated learners can build workforce, personal, and skilled trades readiness at their own pace and customized to meet interests, skills, and career goals.
“When we introduced the tablets, we saw a shift,” Hatch said. “People were used to sitting idle. Then they started leaning in. They were hungry to learn. And they were grateful.”
In fact, demand was so high that the jail doubled the number of tablets available. With access from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., learners now have the opportunity to study every day—on their own terms and in their own space. And it’s making a real difference.
Creating Community and a Culture of Confidence
What stands out most isn’t just the coursework or the certificates. It’s the way learners are showing up for each other.
“They’re reminding each other to get to class,” said educator Mandi McDonald, Special Initiatives Coordinator, IRESA Adult Ed. “They’re studying together. They’re cheering each other on. It’s creating a sense of community—and that’s powerful.”
McDonald, who has served in social work and higher education, says she’s never experienced a teaching environment quite like this. “There’s real motivation here. It’s personal. These learners want more for themselves—and Orijin gives them the tools to go get it.”
The platform includes immersive training modules in HVAC, electrical, and plumbing, which are careers that are not only in demand, but more accessible to justice-impacted individuals. These modules are especially helpful in a jail setting, where space and equipment for traditional training may be limited.
“They love the hands-on feel of the courses,” McDonald said. “They can actually see what a multimeter looks like. They can go through real workflows. It makes learning feel real—and that’s a game changer.”
Supporting The Whole Learner
For the entire Alpena team, it’s not just about academics. It’s about supporting the whole person. “We offer classes in parenting, nutrition, and anger management. We help with resumes and job skills. Orijin lets us tailor the learning experience to each individual,” McDonald said. “Because no two people are the same. And everyone deserves a chance to succeed.”
That flexibility—paired with the program’s structure—has created a culture shift inside the jail. Learners in the I.G.N.I.T.E. program wear special uniforms and take pride in their participation. Correctional staff have noticed positive behavior changes. And for many, it’s the first time they’ve had someone believe in them.
“One of our learners didn’t even want to talk to me when we first met,” Hatch shared. “Now she’s earned her high school certificate, attends every group, and has become a leader among her peers. She wants to work in rehab after she’s released.”
“We’re not just talking about test scores,” Hatch says. “We’re talking about giving people a real shot at a better life. We’re talking about stronger communities. We’re talking about change that lasts.”
— Nicole Hatch, Community Corrections Case Manager
Giving Educators What They Need to Do Their Best Work
It’s not just the learners who are growing. Orijin is helping educators like Hatch and McDonald do what they do best, even better.
“The platform supports my teaching, my planning, and my ability to show impact,” Hatch said. “I’m a bit of a data nerd—I love being able to track progress and share that with our learners. It gives them something to be proud of, and it gives us the proof points we need to advocate for funding and support.”
And that support is more important now than ever. With adult education funding under threat at the federal level, Hatch and her team are speaking up about what’s at stake.
“We’re not just talking about test scores,” Hatch says. “We’re talking about giving people a real shot at a better life. We’re talking about stronger communities. We’re talking about change that lasts.”
Whitney Dettmer, Alpena’s Adult Education Coordinator, echoes this sentiment. “What we’re doing here is bigger than education alone. It’s about transforming the way our learners see themselves—and their futures. Orijin has given us a powerful tool to spark that transformation and keep it going.”
