It's been a hard road traveled for 94 men representing the first class to graduate from the Alabama Therapeutic Education Facility.

Each man found his way here after a life of criminal activity and years locked behind bars. 

Arthur Holt is one of the 94 looking forward to his release next week. Before the inmates and their families he offered these words to remember. "If you always do what you've always done, then you'll always get what you've always got. When we get out, stay out!"

Friday's graduation marks a life change, the parting with the familiar. Keith Hooper knows what each of the graduates is facing. He was in their shoes 10 years ago as one of the first inmates to complete the program in New Jersey. "You got to be done with this man. You gotta be done. If you don't like jail, you gotta do something different."

That something different starts with applying the skills and trades learned at this facility over the last six months, and that means being a productive members of society and role models for the familys. 

Dean James Wilson says he's proud to be a part of a program that is giving these former criminals a second chance at legitimacy. "I think that they've got their heads sort of screwed on and they're ready to go out, make a life for themselves, make some tax dollars for the State of Alabama and put what we prepared them for back into the State of Alabama."

It certainly was an "Oh Happy Day" here at the Alabama Therapeutic Education Facility. And, it will not be the last as a number of other classes are expected to graduate by years end.

Most of the graduating inmates will begin a work release program on Monday.