RWU Launches Rhode Island’s First “Inside-Out” Class at the Rhode Island Training School
RWU’s School of Justice Studies launches Rhode Island’s first Inside-Out Exchange Program, bringing together students and sentenced youth in a shared academic experience.
Roger Williams University is proud to announce the launch of Rhode Island’s first “Inside-Out” class, at the Rhode Island Training School in Cranston, Rhode Island. This innovative college course brings together undergraduate students from RWU’s School of Justice Studies (“outside students”) and residents of the Rhode Island Training School (“inside students”) in a shared learning environment designed to foster dialogue, understanding, and meaningful human connection.
The Inside-Out Exchange Program, which originated at Temple University, is a nationally and internationally recognized model of transformative education. These courses are structured to break down social and institutional barriers, encouraging participants to engage with one another not through labels, but as individuals with unique perspectives and experiences.
“This class represents a powerful step forward in expanding educational access and promoting empathy across systems,” said Vaughn J. Crichlow, Dean of School of Justice Studies. “By creating a space where students can learn with and from one another, we challenge assumptions and build a deeper understanding of justice, accountability, and community.”
Students dive into legal case analysis and listen to guest speakers. Before meeting together, students at the training school participate in an orientation session to review the syllabus and expectations of a college-level course. While RWU students receive academic credit for the semester-long course, students at the training school earn a certificate of completion and high school credits for the six-week module.
The Honorable Michael Forte, Chief Judge of the Rhode Island Family Court, believes this program will benefit more than individual students, but the community as a whole.
“I trust that the insights gained from the program will not only expand the participants’ understanding of how the justice system works, but also will challenge them to consider how it could work better,” said Forte.
The course was developed through a collaborative partnership with the Rhode Island Family Court and the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth & Families, reflecting a shared commitment to innovative approaches in juvenile justice and education.
“When I was approached with this opportunity and reviewed the curriculum, I knew it would be of great interest and relevance to our students,” said Dr. Heather DosSantos, principal of the Rhode Island Training School. “The coursework increases their understanding of the legal system and explores themes related to justice and equality. This is a rigorous, accelerated, college-level educational experience that helps our high-school students recognize what they’re capable of.”
The class is co-taught by Attorney Tricia Martland, Professor of Legal Studies at RWU; Attorney Lori Giarrusso from the Rhode Island Family Court and Adjunct Faculty at RWU School of Law; and Attorney Matt Toro, Deputy Director of the Rhode Island Public Defender. As long-time advocates for juvenile justice, together they bring academic, judicial, and advocacy perspectives into a unified classroom experience.
Roger Williams University is honored to bring this transformative educational model to Rhode Island and looks forward to continuing to expand opportunities that bridge communities and inspire meaningful change.
About RWU: Roger Williams University is a comprehensive university with a liberal arts core and professional programs, focused on marine science, law and society, and the designed and built environments, paired with a breadth of humanities and business programs. With campuses on the coast of Bristol and in the state capital of Providence, Rhode Island, our eight schools of study provide real-world learning experiences dedicated to social and environmental justice, small class sizes, and direct access to faculty and staff. Our students create powerful combinations of degrees, credentials, research and internship opportunities. Roger Williams University is ranked No. 35 Best Regional University in the North by U.S. News & World Report, among the 2025 Best Law Schools by The Princeton Review, and No. 48 in Academic Experience and No. 55 in Career Outcomes in the 2026 Poets & Quants Best Undergraduate Business School rankings; the RWU Extension School was also named No. 1 for Best Online Colleges in Rhode Island by Forbes. Our students graduate with a unique skill set and the passion to make an impact, becoming the changemakers and leaders our world needs.
About Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth & Families: At Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth & Families, our mission is to build a system of care where every child grows up in a safe and loving family environment that supports the development of strong, resilient families throughout the state. To fulfill our mission, we believe that family, community and government share responsibility for the safety, protection and well-being of children, emphasizing prevention over intervention through an integrated continuum of care that reflects a partnership between all parties and is culturally relevant. Learn more at dcyf.ri.gov and read our 2025-2030 strategic plan.
