Celebrating Success: Graduation of the Coding Program at North Dakota State Penitentiary

The Last Mile (TLM) is the leading provider of technology training programs and transitional support for incarcerated people across the country. The program offers comprehensive technology training that prepares students for the workforce upon release from prison. The graduation of this year’s TLM cohort at North Dakota State Penitentiary was preceded by a full year of coursework through TLM’s cloud-based infrastructure. This supports a robust and ever-growing software suite, which provides students with industry-best-in-class toolings such as VS Code, GitLab, MongoDB, DevDocs, and more. 

“The Last Mile values the commitment and support of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in providing advanced technical training for incarcerated individuals in North Dakota,” said Kevin McCracken, Executive Director of The Last Mile. “We celebrate the success of this cohort at North Dakota State Penitentiary and look forward to partnering with companies to offer The Last Mile graduates opportunities for apprenticeships and employment. Collaborating with the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation exemplifies our shared commitment to rehabilitation and reintegration. Together, we are creating a path toward broader career opportunities and a more just and hopeful future for those impacted by the justice system.”

After completing the program, The Last Mile’s Reentry Team supports individuals based on personalized plans to prepare them for a successful transition, both before and after their release date. The Last Mile graduates have a 75% employment rate within six months of release, largely due to the support of The Last Mile’s fair chance hiring partners in the business, media, and tech industries. Fair chance hiring is when an organization evaluates and hires candidates for roles based on their qualified skills, rather than their history or record. These opportunities reduce recidivism and develop a stronger workforce in North Dakota.

About The Last Mile

Turn 2 U Inc. dba The Last Mile (TLM) is an Oakland, CA based 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to provide opportunities for personal and professional growth for justice-impacted individuals through education and technology training. Through prison education, transitional support, and workforce reentry, TLM is disrupting the system of mass incarceration across the United States. In-classroom curricula and course materials prepare students for meaningful employment in modern job roles, including web development, software engineering, and audio and video production. Students cultivate personal and professional development in alignment with technical education, with the support of TLM reentry staff, volunteers, and a community founded on shared lived experiences.

The Last Mile is celebrating over a decade as an organization, originating with its first program in San Quentin State Prison in California. The Last Mile has continued to leverage the power of public-private partnerships with Departments of Corrections and industry-leading companies. Programs operate in 8 states and 16 facilities across the United States. TLM has been able to expand its purpose, to Imagine, Build, and Open Doors into other facilities through these partnerships as well as funding and employment opportunities from the technology sector, including Ken Griffin, Google.org, Slack, GitLab, Stand Together Foundation, Bank of America, Apple, and more. 

The Last Mile Impact:

• TLM is currently in 8 states and 13 facilities 
• TLM has served over 1,400 students
• TLM has served 784 returned citizens

Follow-up Information:

Please refer to TLM’s language guide for guidance on using humanizing language when referring to justice-impacted people in the media.