By Brooks Kurr
In our ever-evolving society, education should be seen as a basic human right—just like having a place to live or getting medical care. Treating education like a product to be bought and sold is unfair; instead, we need to make it something that helps everyone grow and shows the world that people can take care of each other, not tear each other apart.
At the beginning of my carceral journey, I embraced education as a tool for transformation. My commitment to learning and self-improvement endured rigorous phases of exploration throughout eleven years behind bars. I immersed myself in programs like the Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop (MPWW), navigated the complex roles of a prison newspaper editor for three years at MCF-St. Cloud’s Pillar and accepted Metropolitan State University’s TREC program invitation to pursue academic aspirations. Through these experiences, I discovered the healing and empowering potential of education and writing.
The creation of my novel, The Perfect Gift, was inspired by the desire to give my mother a gift for all her love and support. In addition to developing writing skills, I became knowledgeable in editing, digital design, communication, and more. Interviewing opportunities were abundant—including the honor of interviewing Gloria Steinem, who shared she had once been Christian Bale’s stepmother—aka Batman’s stepmom. I’m reminded of bleachers in the massive gymnasium packed with prisoners and staff. I could tell I was in the presence of greatness and was left in awe by Gloria’s brilliant energy, magnetic personality, and natural born leadership talents.
Over the years, learning and community-building came in many forms. Over the pandemic, I discovered I could fare well in the game of cornhole with my eyes closed, so, naturally, everybody was at my door, eager to play. It was during this time that I also taught myself how to type on an old Brothers typewriter. After working in the balloon factory all night, I would return to my cell to type, or “play my instrument,” as my cellie used to say.
There were times when work became an impediment to my education. My assignment as a Health Services Janitor of America was torturous beyond explanation, involving a back injury that evolved into a permanent and painful physical disability due to deviated protocols. My multiple pleas for emergency services—ambulance or hospital—were flat out denied. I endured extreme physical and emotional suffering. After nearly two years of denied care and worsening health, a newly arrived ER doctor recognized the need for surgery, highlighting a long-standing failure by previous medical professionals.
In August 2023, I began my journey with the TREC program inside MCF-Faribault. TREC has been central to my reentry experience. TREC’s focus on reintegrating justice-impacted individuals through education and community engagement helped restore my values. The program’s support has helped counter the paralyzing challenges of homelessness, disability, and the complex social systems many face upon release. TREC’s commitment to advocacy and opportunity reaffirmed my belief that education is the foundation of change.
I am in the process of pursuing a BA in Individualized Studies in Communications and Community Development at Metro State and serving as Vice President of SOLVE, a student organization supporting justice-impacted students. I’m also deeply involved in my Student Ambassador role, which includes trainings, projects, collaborations, committees, mentorships, administrative support, event organizing, advocacy, recruitment, and more. None of this would be possible without TREC, which gave me the voice and platform to advocate for myself and others.
Education—like housing and healthcare—is a basic human right that should never be monetized or questioned. It is essential for the betterment of our planet, and our approach must be restructured to show entities observing Earth under a microscope that we are capable of self-healing, not self-destruction.