Although he has been sentenced to life in prison, young Tunisian Anis Nasr saw a light outside of his dark cell, and became the first prisoner to ever complete his baccalaureate exam while incarcerated.
“I always used to get honourable grades,” said Nasr, “but in a moment of anger and indiscretion, my life turned upside down and I found myself forced to spend the rest of my life behind bars.”
Four years ago, Nasr punched one of his neighbors in the face during a dispute and “accidentally” killed him and was sentenced to life in prison.
Although he has been sentenced to life in prison, young Tunisian Anis Nasr saw a light outside of his dark cell, and became the first prisoner to ever complete his baccalaureate exam while incarcerated.
“I always used to get honourable grades,” said Nasr, “but in a moment of anger and indiscretion, my life turned upside down and I found myself forced to spend the rest of my life behind bars.”
Four years ago, Nasr punched one of his neighbors in the face during a dispute and “accidentally” killed him and was sentenced to life in prison.
During his early days of incarceration, Nasr felt cut off from the outside world. With time, however, he began to adapt to his new life behind bars. “I decided to make prison my new starting point,” he said.
“After experiencing a year of prison life, I decided to go back to my normal life and continue my education. Therefore, I asked the prison administration to register me for the baccalaureate exam. I also asked my family and friends to help me get all the lessons and references so I could study,” he said.
Nasr’s mother came to visit him with two baskets in hand – one loaded with food and the other with books for all the basic materials of the experimental sciences division, which Nasr had chosen to study before entering prison. He had wanted to study medicine.
“I failed the exam twice,” he remembered, “but I was determined to keep studying since success is my only salvation.” Nasr said the prison administration, his family, his friends and even his fellow prisoners encouraged him and strengthened his will.
“I used to gently ask some prisoners to lower their voices so I could study and sometimes I sought help from the prisoners who have higher education degrees.”
On June 19, the prison administration informed Nasr that he passed the baccalaureate exam of the experimental sciences division scoring 11.4 out of 20 marks.
The sky is the limit
Nasr said he will try to join medical or nursing school and that a friend of his has already promised to provide Nasr with the learning materials. He still dreams of returning to his normal life outside prison and continuing his education.
He has appealed to the Court of Cassation (the last stage of litigation), hoping that his good behavior will help his case. His request is still pending.
“I will wait for the academic orientation guide to select a division that matches my abilities and social conditions. I am counting on my family, friends and the prison administration to help me reach my goal,” he said.
