Made in partnership with The Open University. OU consultant Dr Daniel McCulloch. Stephen Akpabio-Klementowski: Prisoner. PhD. Drug dealer. Father. Each of those words conjures up a different picture. None of them tell you exactly who someone is. My name is Stephen Akpabio-Klementowski. I’m a PhD candidate and I’m a lecturer in criminology at The Open University. I work with students in prisons. I love what I do. It feels deeply personal to me, because I used to be a prisoner too.
I served eight years of my 16-year sentence. By the time I left prison, I had completed my first degree. I had also completed two further degrees at Masters level. So, after I was released, I got a job working with students in prisons - not in spite of who I was, but because of it. It’s hard to describe how I felt the first time I went back to prison as a lecturer, and the governor came down, and shook my hand.
Great accomplishment.
So what?
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Fantastic. Good for him. I hope that he is able to use his degrees for the good of the community. To pay back for the errors of youth.
That will probably make him better at doing it & add to the positive discrimination issue. Maybe hanging should be brought back?
If only you could use names in Scrabble.
speter593 How are the alevelresults2020 for the ones sat in prison this year anyway?
Those complaining should know that his attainment of three degrees wasn't a waste of resources but a comprehensive transformation that could make him contribute to the society that would fear him. Better to look at the other side of the story before you draw your conclusion.
I hope he had to pay 9k a year this is absolute bollocks, so is he now going to sit in front of people and explain he was in directly responsible for the death of many young people through drug abuse. No I guess not he will peddle the I’m a changed man forgive me. This is wrong.
And they say crime doesn't pay. So boys and girls instead of keeping your head down, working hard and being a law abiding citizen while doing your degrees and winding up with debts of £50,000 or so, just go out and deal drugs.
So what was supposed to be done to him while in prison? Leave him there unskilled till release time to continue dealing in drugs? And then arrest and jail him again to enjoy free board, meals, leisure etc at the hardworking taxpayers’ cost again. Compare the cost
Why no wall to wall coverage on the bbc, would it be because the victim was white
To those people complaining, I doubt you'd want to be in prison for 6yrs, even to possibly get 3 degrees
Wow!! Totally inspirational!! What a great man!! 👏👏. There is treasure in every one of us, you just have to find it!! 👏👏👏👏
How about more help for non criminal education? Or is it preferred to break the law to get your qualifications now? 🤔 RealJamesWoods it's not just USA that has it backwards
Sabasaleem8 He also became scrabble surname world champion.
All those naysayers who claim prison doesn’t work. It’s just a shame the education didn’t come before the crime; kids today should learn from this.
Prison is a punishment,seizing temporarily the freedom of an individual ,not the killing of his dreams,hopes and possibility of starting a new,the system most often kill a mosquito with a machine gun,causes more ham than good in minor non lethal cases.
Yep, and Hitler painted some fair paintings in his life
Pharmaceutics?
Jeeeze read the righteous right wingers!!!. ‘Criminal dares to better himself and change his life’. Shock horror!!!😜🤔....Whoever paid in relative terms it’s undeniably money well paid I’d suggest. Same logic we’d never invest in anything or anyone to encourage positive change.
GuyVerhoftwat Degree costs £10k. Cost to house a prisoner for one year is €43k. You do the maths. This guy should've been given hard labour. Thats reason enough to rehabilitate.
So not only does he get 1 degree for free but he gets THREE? If he was to get 1 degree with the student debt attached, to make it fair & equal, that would have been great. Why is he given much more handouts than law abiding citizens?
Typical BBC story, black man executes a 5 year old white boy and they talk about free degrees for criminals, what a vile bunch of ethnomasochists.
I'm all for rehabilitation and reform but this is a joke. Why does he get the privilege of a tertiary education when most people who have not committed crimes can't afford it. Where's the justice in that?!
Tick ✔️
It is a great story of a man turning his life around. Now imagine if everybody who wanted to better themselves, criminal or not, were able to study for a degree free of charge, not having to worry about paying bills while studying and free of debt when they graduate.
Not clever enough not to get caught. Morality and intelligence are not linked.
Disgusting!
Goof for him!!
A splendid example of rehabilitation! He is of more use to society than the knuckledraggers in this thread now, good for him.
Well he had f- all else to do while we paid for his upkeep nice touch for being a death dealing black
Did someone sponsor him?
And couldn’t get a student loan to do a 2nd!
I had to pay for mine!
What an accomplishment, well done.
Glad my taxes have been put to good use for once ! Well done to him!👏👏
University should be free or affordable for all, not just criminals.
Thats nice. I know folks upto their eyeballs in student debt alm the majority of their working life, amd this wanqunt gets 3 degrees for nowt. OU in england is around £27k for a single degree.
Well done, but who paid for it? Like others I’d like to do my PhD but can’t afford it. Maybe I should deal drugs so someone can pay for mine
And why should we think this is good ?
This will not make this year’s crop of badly affected students feel any better!🙄
Pleased for him. I only wish i had the money to do my doctorate but i don't.
Did he pay for those ?!? I desperately want to do a degree course but feel I’m never able to, maybe I should try an alternative route ............
Surely the good news here is that he's turned his life around. He's not likely to reoffend and he may now help others If only all Perps were like him.
Just what the police need 🙄 an intelligent drug dealer
Had I not started work at 16 and 41 years later realised I could have done that had I chosen a life of crime . fuckthebbc
My son spent 4 years at university and is now a primary school teacher about to start his third year teaching 6 to 8 year olds .....on the way he picked up a student debt of £64,000 .....am I supposed to be delighted that this drug dealer got it all for free🤐🥱😡😡😡
The irony of it, gets lucked up for selling drugs and comes a doctor, now he can do it legally.
Now that he's educated himself and hopefully reformed and a better person he will campaign to try and make drug free society and help those unfortunate drug users to protect them from the drugs.
So you want to give him a pat on the back then BBC... dealing drugs is good for the country then ? Typical left wing bullshit
Well I think that is time well spent. Well done 👏👏👏
You want to get 3 degrees, stress free Commit a crime, get sent to prison and tax payers will educate you for free. You will never have to worry about student debt. What a clever man.
Whoopee 🥱
Well done, proof that even in a dire situation with hard work and dedication people can achieve their goal, the man deserves praise indeed. I do have a problem with the BBC using a 5 year old story for propaganda purposes though! Again well done Dr, a genuine role model!
So?
Who paid for the degrees? Basically what you are saying BBC is, crime pays.
Wow Polish name
Shouldn’t be allowed to be called doctor.
Equal Opportunities can work.
What drug was he selling? If it was weed that’s really sad. Imagine all the other people who share his level of potential but it’s wasted.
People outside have to pay tuition fees - he didn't. Rewarding scumbags again.
Good for him.
Once a drug dealer always drug dealer.
All the comments here saying he shouldn't be able to get 3 degrees while serving a sentence may have a point but hats off to him! So many people serve time and don't come out with anythung let alone 3 degrees. So glad that he has taken advantage of this and good luck to him 👍
One can hope he uses his education to rebuild the lives he affected with his past occupation.
An exceptional example of what the prison system *should* do, in my opinion. Reformation and rehabilitation, instead of aimless punishment.
While I can’t afford uni!!
If it has given him a new purpose, and he can help serve his community then good for him. Prison shouldn't mean someone never has a beneficial purpose in life. Prison should aid reform and if this is part of his reform then good on him.
Was his degree in chemistry. He can then. Are his own drugs to sell
Even if this is true, are the rest of society supposed to be grateful that a convicted criminal left prison with three degrees at our expense?
Wonder what his student debt is, must be thousands, oh hang on, that will be added to my taxes I guess!
Big congrats to Dr Stephen Akpabio-Klementowski. Prison should be about reform not just punishment. A lot (mostly conservatives/right-wingers) are complaining he had a free ride.He also had his freedom & liberty taken away.He's now a productive member of society & teaching others
Degree no 1 is Botany. No 2 is Chemistry. No 3 is transport and distribution.
Why do I have to do my own research to get accurate information? Not sentenced for dealing drugs, he was sentenced for trying to smuggle £360k of cocaine whilst working as a BA steward. Greedy & untrustworthy. Good for him to gain degrees.But should have to pay like everyone else
Shame he went to jail in the first place, can never get that time back again, good luck in the future.
Brilliant. Man has fucked up. Is being punished. Has chosen to better himself. Why all the hate? Hopefully he will leave a better man and contribute positively to society. People make mistakes.
What are you trying to tell us with this parable? That anyone with the time on their hands & the inclination can become a doctor? That we should harness the talents of drug dealers to help society? Not all sociopaths are stupid? He wasted a lifetime getting involved with drugs.
Free degree free education free bed all paid for by tax payer
That is impressive
But obey the law & you have to pay for it yourself 🤷🏻♂️
Were they in chemistry?
Has he paid back his student loan yet!
Good on him so far, it's what he does now that makes him....... Good luck & choose wisely as you are now wise.
And they say crime doesn’t pay, this is another example that it doesn’t pay to be hard working & honest, a fucking joke
Love a positive story
Cold weather of UK has turned the hearts of many people cold.
And what?
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Was one of them in Chemistry 🤔
Well played. An example to others - coming out a better person than he went in - unfortunately the same can't be said of too many others.
So our kids are thousands of pounds in debt when they could have gone to prison and got a degree for free !
The inability to see the bigger picture here is terrifying.. how on earth can negativity be taken from this .. would those complaining of the investment into this man prefer he left unqualified and more criminal ? Do you know it costs over £35k a year to keep a prisoner
Good on him. For the people in the comments being envious, this man will always have a conviction on his record, hindering prospects that most people wouldn't have to worry about. I'm happy to see the prison system rehabilitating to this extent👍
GuyVerhoftwat Is he qualified to manufacture the drugs now?
Throw away the key.
Good for him. This does not speak into the argument of devastated youngsters who have worked really hard and have predicted A grades. With the computer down grading them, they can't go to their university and their lives are on hold. This needs addressing promptly.
Course Doctors and their prescriptions are responsible for more people dying than any Mexican drug cartel.
Were his degrees marked down because he was in an underperforming prison? Probably not!
Nowt else to do. He will be on telly next bollocking us.
Who cares
Why is this news?
OpenUniversity flying the flag!
Wonder what grades he would have had using the algorithm? AlevelUTurn
Those who have always had comfort with never appreciate the privilege of choice nor the desperation of those denied it. Of those offering up 'wise opinions' on Twitter, how many have actually faced that dilemma?
So is it your suggestion that people get banged up to enable them to get a degree on the taxpayer’s dime?
Who said 'Crime doesn't pay'?
Meanwhile the BBC are looking at drug misuse by a soap star...
ALL FREE OF COURSE!!
No student loans for him lol
Dear BBC (Black Broadcasting Corporation), is there a similar story about a white man, for fairness and equality purposes...
And?
He could have wasted his time then gone back to how he was before.Yes it’s unfair but life can be. Hopefully he will put some good back into the world although it won’t be as easy as some folks think. Will always have a criminal record
This is a story I can back
One of the Sussex Akpabio-Klementowskis presumably.
Yeah, prison degrees look great on a resume
Did the state pay any portion of his fees?
And the public paid for them! Your point is?
Great to see him turn his life around, but there are millions of us out here who haven't been sentenced to jail time, that have to rely on loans, multiple jobs, long hours etc to get through any studying we want to do. This points to a broken system. Don't hate this guy for it.
How many of the people he served his filth to had the same opportunity?
I’ve got no problem with this - as long as it is level playing field i.e. when he is released he is saddled with the same educational debt as a contemporary would.
Thats fantastic, good for him and hopefully him and his story will go on to influence and inspire others
Chemistry, Law and Business Studies?
Dose that mean prison is excellent education centre?
I love that this story makes people so angry. I want to lick their rage full tears.
Good for him, fair play 👏 does he have the 40k debt like me 😂
Pity he didn’t do that after leaving school rather than drug dealing. Parental breakdown and let down by Labour.
He now knows if he'd had sold his drugs at 3*75 % more he could have had 2 black BMWs
All with tax payers money. What is wrong wit the world, law abiding citizens have to struggle to pay for University BUT the government pays for criminals.
GuyVerhoftwat That's nice.
I suppose this way it's cheaper than paying out for student digs and course fees. 😏 Although the night life and parties are a bit of a let down.😁
There is hope for everyone abnghana
Probably not a real person.
yep in distrubution, logistics & marketing so well done 👍
Chemistry? Joking aside, that's a great thing. His contribution to society will be a positive one now.
Good on him for achieving something when others just waste their time.
Oh heck
So in other words ,he wasn’t in “prison “ but he was at school 🏫. He did well
Well, that'll make him a better drug dealer then. Meanwhile... Where's the in depth story on this oh I forgot it dose not fit your biased narrative, shame on you! ScumMedia whitekidsdontmatter
More racial grifting. Now do someone who is white.
The NEW NORMAL.
Student Loans
Only three? Lazy sod.
Amazing story. Sadly the hateful people commenting here are exactly what's wrong with the UK. Resentment of anyone else taking an opportunity and ready to drag them down. This man is now a boon to society and education has changes his life. Isn't that what prison is for?
Seems some people feel he should have left prison a worthless criminal rather than a reformed man with a future. That could only have gone well...
Great Effort Dr Stephen 👏🏻 👏🏻
Well done to him! He decided to change his life for the better and did something about it
What a incredible guy
Was one chemistry?
Did he come out with student debt like my kids have or did crime pay and he got or free?
Not impressed!
This is supposed to be the point of prison. Would people rather he had come out and continued offending?
Ah so nice to see a victim get educated!
Bill the 'Health and vaccine expert' Gates completed a youtube video.
Shouldn't even be there. Dealing drugs is not a crime.
BBC totally obsessed with BLM! Can we have a tweet for other races too please.
Three Degrees... 🎵 When will I see you again 🎵 When you’re out of prison obvs
Degrees gotten from the internet U's , I want some 2 or 3 myself.
Eloquent synopsis of the devastating impact of trauma on a child’s life course but this video provides hope. I think Stephen’s story lifts your heart.
BBC presenters and employees dodge Income tax so you can see why you trump criminals
Fantastic
Bet he can still do 3 for 100
And?
A truly reformed character - good for him and the authorities for enabling this.
good for him but please stop this constant Black Black
Should I say he is a wonderful guy ?
Good effort.
This is British justice We reward criminal behaviour with something that most working people just cannot afford to do
Sure the families of those whose lives were ruined by the drugs he was dealing are overjoyed to hear about his degrees
Great so this criminal had time and freedom to do 3 degrees while having his shelter and food paid for him while a great many hard working people can barely afford their rent while working 50 hours a week. Seems fair.
Why did we waste money on a criminal getting him 3 degrees when students who obey the law get shit and are loaded with debt. This I’d s it problem.
Has the government downgraded then to O levels yet ?
Thousands of decent law abiding citizenship do the same while juggling children, family life and jobs yet you highlight a criminal whose had all the time in the world...Crime pays it seems
He’s an amateur compared to the Sackler. They made and killed millions.
Great, all paid for by the taxpayer
Great to read. Everyone can be better if they choose to. He can now use his learning to help others. People ‘fuck up’ & should have consequences but they should also be given the opportunity to reflect & reform. Some will & sadly some won’t. Good for this man, well done 👍
Does he qualify to be in The Three Degrees now?
Given how short prison sentences now are I’m amazed anyone has time to complete three degrees.
Fantastic. We should all start dealing drugs to give ourselves the opportunity to complete free University education while behind bars. Or is this just one of the empowering stories aimed at pleasing the blackies.
Got my respect
Yet another innocent man locked away.
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