As a Sinclair Community College student, William Beyer never thought he would be in the position he now finds himself in.
That position, Beyer described, isn’t his status as an inmate at the Dayton Correctional Institute (DCI). And it isn’t how the 43-year-old is nearing the end of his third term in prison.
Beyer is a successful student in Sinclair’s Advanced Job Training Programs. The program teams with DCI and the Montgomery Education Pre-Release Center (MEPC) to assist prisoners in gaining an education while incarcerated.
DCI is a medium-security prison that holds close to 500 inmates and was built in 1987, according to Vivian Covington, DCI’s Correctional Warden’s Assistant and Public Information Officer.
Belinda McBeth, the assistant coordinator for Sinclair’s Advance Job Training program at DCI and the MEPRC, has worked with inmates since 1998. McBeth, a Sinclair graduate, helps inmates at both sites fully experience a college-like atmosphere.
“I am the eyes, ears and legs of Sinclair since they can’t come,” she said. “Whatever they need, I provide for them.”
McBeth said associate’s degrees are not earned in the Advance Job Training program. Instead, certificates are earned in areas like engineering or construction.
“Of course, the deterrent is not there, so our students at the prison make very good grades,” McBeth said. “It’s a boost for them because the majority of them say if they didn’t wind up in prison, they would have ended up dead and never getting an education.”
Beyer said he feels like a new person because of how education has transformed his thinking. Beyer was first introduced to the prison system in 1990. When Beyer entered prison a third time in 2007 at the London Correctional Institute, something inside of him clicked.
“This time around when I came in, I finally got in contact with my mom,” Beyer said. “We didn’t talk for 15 years. I established a relationship back with her and she kept encouraging me to get enrolled in school while I was at London. So, I tried and tried and never got into (the program).”
Beyer wasn’t sure what was holding him out of London’s program, but he said something was blocking his way.
“I finally came to Dayton and got in,” he said, “and I’ve loved it ever since.”
McBeth said Beyer came into the program with “fake confidence,” and since then he has blossomed into an outstanding student.
“He’s always trying to excel in everything he does,” she said. “What I like most is he’s willing to help others.”
Early troubles
When Beyer dropped out of Oak Hills High School in 1983 at the age of 17, he was sure school wasn’t for him. Beyer attributes his difficulties with education to a lack of effort, motivation and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Beyer said he never had a reason to get his education, even during his first two incarcerations. When he began his third term, Beyer said depression set in and he realized he couldn’t rely on laying tile anymore.
“Something just clicked,” he said. “I ain’t getting any younger. I got maybe 20 years of work left in me. Without college now a days, you’re limited on what you can do.”
Beyer said he laid tile for 15 years, but now his entire goal is to eventually work for himself.
“The classes I’m taking here are going to help me become a more independent businessman,” he said. “I can’t lay tile forever … This isn’t life. I don’t like it here. I’m 43 years old. What do I got to look forward to if I keep doing this?”
Time in the classroom
In 1995, Beyer earned his GED at 28 years old. During his time at DCI, Beyer has completed three quarters and 35 credit hours. Beyer is working toward receiving an associate degree in Construction Management Technology from Sinclair.
Beyer is enrolled in 15 credit hours this quarter.
Beyer was one of 11 students at DCI who made Sinclair’s Fall Dean’s List. Beyer has made the Dean’s List in two of his three quarters.
“I never thought I’d see my name in the paper,” he said. “My dad said he had never seen my name in the paper unless it was for something bad. I’m proud of myself. I didn’t think I could do college.”
Covington said the institution’s educational program is beneficial to inmates seeking change.
“It’s a huge impact to those inmates looking to improve their lives,” Covington said.
Finding connections
While at DCI, Beyer got involved in a program that lets inmates help raise rescued dogs. Paco, a greyhound, has lived with Beyer in his cell for the past three months.
Beyer said he wants to start his own non-profit organization called Food for Paws. His goal is to provide food for hungry dogs.
“At Christmas time, people were waiting in line for food. What about the animals?”
Beyer said. “I want to do something where I can help somebody else.”
Beyer said his mom has played a huge part in how his life is being turned around and she has become a very important figure. Beyer said family problems had a lot to do with why he didn’t contact his mom for 15 years.
“Instead of her worrying about me, I took myself out of the equation,” he said. “I took myself away from them. My mom and sister would look on the Internet to see if I was in jail. If I was in jail, they knew I was safe.”
Looking forward
On July 17, Beyer will be given his release from DCI. He said he plans to move to Cincinnati to live with his mom and stepfather while he gets acclimated to society again.
“It’s really positive that (Beyer’s mom) is becoming such an important part of his life,” McBeth said. “I think now he has his life on track.”
Beyer said nothing is going to stop him from commuting to Sinclair and enrolling for fall classes to finish what he started. He said he might also take classes at the Courseview Center in Mason or online.
“I never finished anything in my life,” he said. “I want to finish Sinclair. Without Sinclair giving me this chance to finish school, I would have never got into it.”