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Drug Dealer Jailed For 16 Years Redeems Himself & Becomes A University Professor

byNikita Manot
18th August 2020
2 minute read

“No matter how far you are in the wrong direction, there’s always a chance to turn your life around.” And, Stephen Akpabio-Klementowski, a former drug dealer, is living proof of that. Despite spending 16 years in prison, Stephen managed to turn his life around by becoming a professor of criminology at a UK university.

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So, how did a drug peddler become a Ph.D. holder? During his teenage years, Stephen had fallen into the wrong company following his father’s demise, reports Times Now. Eventually, he was sent to jail for dealing drugs. However, when he started his term, he didn’t speak to anyone and instead chose to work quietly in the kitchens for the first three months.

After a few months, he was noticed for his educational potential and was further encouraged to enroll at a university. Despite his fear of failure, Stephen took the words of advice positively, reports BBC. He still decided to enroll in UK’s Open University. Thus began his new routine of working in the kitchen during the day followed by studying at night.

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Focused and determined, he studied in the toilets and didn’t let his cellmates’ loud snores stop him from learning. However, while he completed his first module successfully, he still had to deal with a lot of negativity in the prison. Many times the inmates and guards would tell him that his criminal record would hold him back from earning a degree.

But Stephen didn’t pay any heed to their negativity and instead focused on his studies. Eventually, his hard work paid off. Owing to his educational potential and good behavior he was not only able to leave prison after eight years but was also able to complete three degrees, two of which were Master level.

After his release, Stephen became a teacher at the open university and started working with students in prisons. The lecturer now has a family and leads a good life. He just hopes his story will inspire other prisoners to take up education.

A determined person can achieve anything they set their heart on. Kudos to Stephen for bringing such a positive change in his life. We wish him good luck for his future.

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