Computer program brings ‘education, hope and opportunity’ to St. Louis jail

Jessica Hicklin co-founded Unlocked Labs while serving what she thought would be a life sentence in Potosi Correctional Center. She taught herself how to code using the prison’s library books, and when she was released in January 2022, the company grew from there. Unlocked Labs provides secure software on computers for detainees to access educational content. It is available in state prisons in five states across the country, and the St. Louis City Justice Center is the first jail to receive the service. Bretton Delaria from the Office of Violence Prevention, which collaborated with Unlocked Labs and the CJC on this rollout, joins Hicklin on the show to discuss the company’s current efforts and goals for the future.