10 Residents Earn High School Diplomas at Mid-Year Graduation
Published on December 23, 2025
The Allegheny County Jail regularly holds high school graduations following the conclusion of the school year in May.
But on Friday, Dec. 19, the jail held its first mid-year graduation ceremony since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 10 graduates received either their high school or Pennsylvania Commonwealth Secondary School diplomas before friends, family and jail staff members inside the jail’s Contact Visits room.
Adult education at the jail is provided by the Allegheny Intermediate Unit, while the Pittsburgh-Mt. Oliver Intermediate Unit offers education to the juvenile population.
Pittsburgh-Mt. Oliver IU Principal Tony Esoldo called it a “joyous day,” while thanking jail administration and the correctional officers who work with the educational department, saying they “are always supportive and eager to help however they can.”
“It takes a village,” Esoldo said. “All of you helped push them across the finish line.”
Connie Clark, the jail’s Deputy Warden of Programming, introduced the graduates and thanked family members for coming and showing their love and support of the students.
Clark thanked the educational staff for the hard work they put in to help the students earn their diplomas and congratulated each graduate.
“Let this be the first step of a very long journey,” she said.
Following the presentation of diplomas, the graduates posed for pictures and spent an hour sharing a meal with their friends and family members.
Media inquiries may be directed to Jesse Geleynse, Public Information Officer for the Allegheny County Jail
jesse.geleynse@alleghenycounty.us or by phone at 412-350-1267 or 412-760-4760 (cell).