Columbia, SC –- Robert Miller was a student at Appalachian State University when a professor first suggested that a job in corrections might be a suitable career for someone with a degree in psychology.
“I just started thinking about ‘what can I do. I want to do something that gives back every day. I want to do something for the public and for society’ and this is something that just developed over time,” said Miller.
He’s one of the 31 new detention officers that graduated Friday from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy in Columbia.
What makes Miller unique is that he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Divinity and Biblical Studies, and he’s entering a job that only requires a high school education.
Academy officials said he may be one of the most well educated jail guards in the state.
“It is uncommon for us to find someone coming through basic jail (guard training) with that type of education and it showed. It showed in his abilities and his academic achievements,” said Hubert Harrell, director of the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy.
Miller earned his masters degree from the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and was also enrolled in the PhD program.
While he was studying divinity he was considering a future as a teacher, but ultimately decided on a different path.
“I thought how better to teach people than on a one-on-one basis, by providing rules (and) providing structure,” said Miller.
“I don’t view my job as an evangelistic opportunity. However, I do view my job as a way to contribute to in a good manner to give something back (and) to do something good for society in general.”
Miller is not sure where this new job will take him, but Harrell said he has a bright future.
“In ten years he may be running a facility somewhere in the state and it’s good to get people in on the ground level. He will have the experience he needs to do it, as well as the education,” said Harrell.
“I’m keeping the door open, I’m not sure where I’m going to end up,” said Miller.
He will be begin his career as a jail guard at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center in Horry County.
“I hope that I can make a difference in some of these (inmates’) lives.”
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