From Jail to Yale: A Story of Redemption, Leadership & Justice Reform
Executive Director, Bethesda Mission | Public Theologian | Justice Reform Advocate | Yale Divinity Grad
About George
Rev. George Chochos defied every statistic. From a jail cell to Yale Divinity School to Georgetown’s PhD program, he became a national leader in criminal justice reform and higher education policy. Today, as Executive Director of Bethesda Mission, he leads with the same resilience and vision that transformed his own life.
George led the federal policy strategy on Capitol Hill for the historic return of Pell Grants to incarcerated students—one of the last major bipartisan legislative victories. He has testified before Congress, advised policymakers on the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act (which became the framework for the First Step Act), and guest lectured at top universities nationwide. His work has directly impacted thousands of incarcerated students and returning citizens building new lives, while shaping national policy conversations around reform and second chances.
Through powerful storytelling backed by research and policy expertise, George challenges audiences to rethink justice, leadership, and second chances—seeing what’s possible when we believe in redemption and invest in people.
Why Book George?
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- Nationally Recognized & In-Demand Speaker — Featured at major conferences on criminal justice reform and education
- Sought-After Thought Leader — Keynote speaker for Fortune 500 companies, universities, and leadership summits
- Real-Life Story, Real Impact — George’s journey from prison to Ivy League scholar inspires audiences from students to CEOs
- Authentic, Data-Driven & Actionable — Combines lived experience, research, and policy expertise to create meaningful dialogue and change
Discussion Topics:
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- From Jail to Yale: Unlocking Potential Against the Odds — A powerful journey of resilience, education, and transformation, proving that second chances can lead to remarkable success
- The Business Case for Criminal Justice Reform — Why reducing barriers for returning citizens isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s also smart economics for businesses, communities, and society
- Higher Education in Prison: Pathways to Economic & Social Mobility — How education behind bars can be a game-changer, breaking cycles of incarceration and opening doors to opportunity
- Leadership & Overcoming Adversity — The mindset, skills, and strategies needed to lead after facing life’s biggest challenges
- Telling Your Story for Maximum Impact — How personal narratives can inspire change, influence policy, and create lasting social impact
- Faith, Justice & Healing — The role of faith in overcoming trauma, building community, and leading with purpose in social justice work
- Coalition Building & Movement Ecology — How diverse groups can unite to drive meaningful, lasting reform in criminal justice and beyond
Recent Speaking Engagements:
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- Guest Lecturer: Wharton School, Harvard, Howard Divinity School
- Keynotes: JPMorgan Chase, Morehead-Cain Foundation, Virginia Tech
- Featured Panelist: National conferences on higher education in prison, reentry, and justice reform
Education:
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- PhD Student — Georgetown University
- MA in Theological & Religious Studies — Georgetown University
- MDiv & STM in Theology — Yale Divinity School
- MPS in Urban Ministry — New York Theological Seminary
- BA in Social Studies — Bard College (Bard Prison Initiative)
- Maxwell Leadership Team Member
Notable Achievements & Awards:
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- Testified before Congress on the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act (2015)
- Advised policymakers on criminal justice reform, including the First Step Act (2020)
- Expanded access to education for incarcerated students through policy work at Vera and Georgetown
- Wolcott Calkins Prize for Excellence in Public Speaking (Yale Divinity School)
- Charles S. Mersick Prize for Effective Public Address Especially in Preaching (Yale Divinity School)
- Patrick Healy Fellow for Theological and Religious Studies (Georgetown University)
Published Work:
Travels From Pennsylvania
Downloadable Documents:
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