A s a teenager, Grace Cooper, ’22, was intrigued by the “X-Files” TV series. She thought it would be cool to work with the FBI. When she took her criminal justice classes at Georgia College & State University, she quickly learned the fiction behind the television series depicting law enforcement. 

“I once thought it would be so cool to be an investigator,” said Cooper, transitional case manager for the Continuum of Care program at Riverbend Correctional Facility in Milledgeville. “Then, I learned the big differences between TV and real life in the justice system that I never expected.”

In Dr. Alesa Liles’ Inside Out class, 15 Georgia College students met with 15 incarcerated students at Riverbend Correctional Facility to discuss the different aspects of the justice system and share their perspectives.

“I loved this class, because I saw prisoners are not like what movies and TV shows portray,” she said. “I truly believe that some of the best individuals I've ever met we're in that class as incarcerated people.”

Cooper now works at the same facility with many of the incarcerated students she worked with as a student. She enjoys her duties so much that she even got the Employee of the Month Award after being there for just four months.

“It felt really cool to get that recognition,” Cooper said. “I’m doing my job, and they recognize that. It made me feel more confident in what I'm doing.”

“It’s absolutely mind blowing how our experiences differ,” she added. “My involvement with my Inside Out class made a big impact on me and in getting this job.”

Liles, an associate professor of Criminal Justice, holds a special place in Cooper’s heart. When Cooper was indecisive about her career path, Liles was supportive and talked her through it.

They still keep in touch today.

“Dr. Liles helped me figure out what I felt my purpose is,” Cooper said. “She also showed me how to stick up for myself in a respectful way. In this profession, that’s something I really had to find my footing with.”

It’s inspiring for Cooper to see the change in these students. “They come into my office, often soft spoken and polite. They each have their own story to tell.” And it’s clear to Cooper one mistake does not define a person. It’s all about who they’ve become while incarcerated.

Working with her clients, Cooper sees the hope many of them have for the future. Some say, “When I get out, I have so many dreams, plans and ways to stay out of prison again.” 

Many find religion in prison.

“That's just really cool for me to see how they found a purpose while incarcerated,” Cooper said. “It's very fulfilling, because eventually, I want to work with at-risk youth. So, now I’m intervening, only at a later stage.”

Her responsibilities include checking in with every student at least once every 90 days. She enters parole addresses and updates client information. She also helps with releases, transfers and getting information on work details.

Cooper applies different intervention techniques. Her clients use workbooks, roleplay various scenarios and conduct motivational interviews. These actions help them see through their problems so they can improve themselves. 

“As it gets closer to their release, I help them find housing and employment, to set them up to be successful and to reduce the overall recidivism rate,” she said. “I cannot tell you how many hours I’ve spent on hold with the IRS, because an inmate needs me to help them get their stimulus checks.”

Although she enjoys her profession, there are times when she exercises her patience and grit.

The biggest challenge Cooper faces in her role is a few of her clients have lost hope for their future.

“There are some people, who’ll get out in the next six months, and they just don’t care,” Cooper said. “They're just like, ‘I'm just going to be back in prison in seven months anyway.’ That's really hard, because you can't make them change their mind.”

She tells them, “Why can't you like see yourself the way I see you—as someone who's competent?”

“There's not a whole lot I can do,” Cooper said. “But it feels good to see people who see themselves as having the potential to be successful. That helps me know I’m doing something that matters.”

She wants for her clients to get out of prison and learn from their mistakes. But she also hopes others will see past her clients’ mistakes and give them a chance.

“I want for them to know—just because they've messed up doesn't mean they're stuck,” Cooper said. “They can keep going. There are a lot more opportunities these days for previously incarcerated people, where they really have the ability to be successful if they will go out and find it”

To learn more about how Cooper’s experience from Liles’ Inside Out class has carried over to her career, check back to listen to Dr. Liles’ podcast—Episode 1 of Season 2 titled “Thunder goes to prison.” It’s a tribute to Cooper’s time in the famous fur suit as Georgia College’s Bobcat Mascot “Thunder.”