ALFRED — Like all inmates, Marissa Vieira, who has been incarcerated for a year at York County Jail and faces three more in the Maine State Prison, is looking forward to the day when she’s released.

Locked up after a string of robberies connected to her heroin addiction, Vieira is trying to make the best use of her time inside. So she and eight others like her took advantage of the jail’s College Transitions Program, an eight-week series of classes taught by Massabesic Adult Education instructors that helps prepare inmates for college when they get out.

“This program makes feeling positive possible,” said Vieira, who plans on becoming a veterinary technician when she’s released.

Lynn and Wayne Marsh of Laconia, New Hampshire, were on hand Friday to see their daughter, Natausha DeRoche, graduate from the program. Indicted recently in connection with robberies in Wells and York last fall, DeRoche thanked her teachers for their work.

“This opened my eyes to never give up,” she said. “It’s good to know there’s still a chance.”

“Second chances” was a theme running through Friday’s ceremony, during which inmates received certificates for their work, then got to exchange rare hugs with their families and eat pizza before heading back to their cells.

Addressing the students, Massabesic Adult Education Director Barbara Gauvin quoted former President George W. Bush: “America is the land of the second chance – and when the gates of the prison open, the path ahead should lead to a better life.”

In the College Transitions program, students meet in a classroom setting at the jail for two days a week for eight weeks, during which they brush up on algebra/ math, reading and writing. Through an arrangement with York County Community College, students who complete the program can get a leg up, bypassing the usual entry-level classes as they begin their college careers, said Gauvin.

Anthony Vieira, Marissa’s father who is incarcerated himself for driving without a license, was among a handful of other inmates attending the ceremony. As the students were led into the ceremony in the jail’s gym, his eyes were on his daughter.

“This changed her life around for the better,” he said. “I hope this is the start of something good.”

DeRoche, like many of the others who received certificates on Friday, is taking substance abuse classes as well as College Transitions.

“She looks so much better,” said her mother, Lynn. “She wants to go forward with college. I tried to get her help, but she ended up on drugs. She wants to come out (of jail) clean. I’m so proud of who she is right now.”

“She’s totally different – she looks alive again,” said her father, Wayne.

Inmate John Nadeau, who is incarcerated for robbery and theft in connection with his heroin addiction, was congratulated for graduating from the program by his mother, Crystal Parks, and his girlfriend, Amethyst Brannen.

“It was good to get something done while I’m here,” he said.

Other inmates echoed that sentiment.

“It woke up skills I haven’t used in a while,” said inmate Ian Nono.

“I never knew how to start with college classes” until the College Transitions program came along, said inmate Kevin Weeden.

York County Sheriff Bill King lauded the program, which is financed by the jail’s inmate benefit fund, and is provided at no direct cost to taxpayers.

“The nine who took part and completed the course will be ready to pursue college when they’re released,” he said. “They didn’t sit in their cells; they made use of their time.”

He turned to the students.

“This is just the beginning for you,” he said.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.