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On Wednesday, the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) Río Piedras Campus, in conjunction with the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR), disclosed the enrollment of a confined student who will be pursuing a Juris Doctor degree.
This semester, Miguel Ángel Nieves Domínguez began his journey at the UPR School of Law, under an agreement between both organizations that facilitates legal education for a designated group of incarcerated individuals.
“Today marks a pivotal moment in our institution’s history, especially for the Law School, highlighting education as a transformative and rehabilitative force for those held in confinement,” UPR Río Piedras Campus Chancellor Dr. Angélica Varela Llavona remarked in a statement. “This agreement not only reinforces our pledge to social justice but also paves the way for new avenues of hope and chances for those on the path to rehabilitation and reintegration into society.”
Nieves Domínguez is a graduate of the inaugural cohort of the University Studies Program for Confined Persons, an initiative established by Father Fernando Picó, which continues to thrive today, greatly due to Dr. Edna Benítez Laborde’s efforts from the General Studies Department.
Dean of the School of Law, Vivian Neptune Rivera, stated, “Miguel exemplifies the incredible impact of education on rehabilitation.”
“His ambition to join the legal profession and advocate for those without a voice encapsulates his aspirations and commitment to ensuring genuine access to justice,” she said. “Legal education serves as the fundamental tool for fostering a more equitable and inclusive society. Miguel’s endeavors at our institution illustrate that hopes and dreams can materialize when provided with the right support and when educational opportunities are accessible.”
The UPR-DCR partnership will remain effective until July 2029 and offers two additional admissions in August 2025 and 2026, provided the necessary criteria are satisfied.
Nieves Domínguez earned a bachelor of arts in General Studies, graduating Magna Cum Laude in May 2022, as part of a cooperative agreement with the DCR that facilitates access to bachelor’s programs for incarcerated individuals as a supportive measure in their rehabilitation. Earlier this year, he was accepted into a master’s program in administration and cultural management, where he completed one semester in the Humanities Faculty, although his ultimate aspiration was always to pursue a legal education. To that end, he engaged in the Public Schools Liaison program in collaboration with the School of Law and undertook the Law School Admission Test, or LSAT.
In August, Nieves Domínguez secured his place in the law school after meeting all qualifications and completing the formal application procedure.
“… [S]tudying for a bachelor’s degree posed a significant challenge,” the law student reflected. “The experience was enriching and transformed my perspective. Subsequently, in the Master’s program, I absorbed knowledge that I can apply towards social development. Now, I am realizing my dream by studying at the University of Puerto Rico’s School of Law.”
“My aim is to foster opportunities for social inclusion for others as part of broader social change,” Nieves Domínguez conveyed. “University education is a catalyst for human development via critical thinking. This represents a crucial moment for social transformation.”
