A groundbreaking initiative is set to transform a former prison in Anson County, North Carolina, into the 5 and 2 Trade School, aimed at providing educational opportunities for children with incarcerated parents. Founded by a local advocate, the school is designed to help break the cycle of incarceration that affects many families in the area.

The program, which has been in development for over a decade, has already successfully sent more than 111 children to college or trade schools. The founder highlighted that while 20% of the children in the program are academically prepared for higher education, the remaining 80% face significant challenges, often struggling to meet basic educational requirements.

One of the most notable outcomes of the initiative has been a dramatic reduction in recidivism rates among participating fathers. Nationally, about 70% of released prisoners return to incarceration, but in this program, less than 4% have reoffended, contributing to the closure of several prisons in North Carolina.

The 5 and 2 Trade School will offer five vocational programs, including welding, digital arts, farming, automotive repair, and culinary arts—fields that are less likely to be replaced by automation. The school will operate on a unique model where students work four hours a day to fund their education, allowing them to graduate with both skills and savings of up to $20,000.

Classes are set to begin in January, with an initial cohort of 24 students, expanding to 250 by August. The founder emphasized the importance of providing local high school graduates with first access to the program, aiming to recruit students directly from Anson County schools.

In a symbolic gesture, the road leading to the school will be renamed from Old Prison Camp Road to Break the Cycle Drive, reflecting the program's mission to foster hope and opportunity. This initiative marks a historic first in the United States, as it is the first time a prison has been converted into a trade school, setting a precedent for similar projects nationwide. The community is rallying behind this transformative effort, which aims to change lives and reduce the likelihood of future generations facing the same challenges.