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All posts are subject to the Alliance’s approval. The Alliance reserves the right to reject any post for not fulfilling the purpose of this News Page, which is to disseminate information related to the field of higher education in prison. If you have any questions, please contact alliance@higheredinprison.org.
To bridge the divide between the acquisition of knowledge and its practical application, the Alliance is launching the Education in Action (EiA) initiative.
To bridge the divide between the acquisition of knowledge and its practical application, the Alliance is launching the Education in Action (EiA) initiative.
Exploring the Experiences of Second Chance Pell is a mixed methods research study examining the implementation and facilitation of the Second Chance Pell Experiment, originally launched in 2015.
Exploring the Experiences of Second Chance Pell is a mixed methods research study examining the implementation and facilitation of the Second Chance Pell Experiment, originally launched in 2015.
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The theme of the 13th NCHEP is "Close the Distance" and the conference will be held in-person.
The theme of the 13th NCHEP is "Close the Distance" and the conference will be held in-person.
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As they celebrate their centenary, W.W. Norton has generously agreed to partner with the Alliance to donate textbooks in over 25 subject areas to HEP programs!
As they celebrate their centenary, W.W. Norton has generously agreed to partner with the Alliance to donate textbooks in over 25 subject areas to HEP programs!
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With ECMC Foundation support, Jobs for the Future’s Center for Justice and Economic Advancement is excited to launch the PEP CTE Accelerator Network (the Network), a community of practice that will provide support implementing high-quality, credit-bearing CTE programming for people who are currently incarcerated.
With ECMC Foundation support, Jobs for the Future’s Center for Justice and Economic Advancement is excited to launch the PEP CTE Accelerator Network (the Network), a community of practice that will provide support implementing high-quality, credit-bearing CTE programming for people who are currently incarcerated.
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The Research Collaborative on Higher Education in Prison (RCHEP) and the Alliance for Higher Education in Prison are excited to announce Preparing for Pell, a series of webinars and workshops in anticipation of Pell expansion for eligible incarcerated students on July 1, 2023. This series is an opportunity to share research findings and engage in open conversation with students and practitioners. Since the Department of Education (ED) released its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) last July, students, practitioners, and other advocates have sought clarity about what they can expect this summer, first through public comments submitted to ED last August. ED published responses in its final regulations in October of 2022. However, judging by subsequent communications from ED and other experts, it remains unclear exactly how ED will resolve many questions raised in public comments.
The Research Collaborative on Higher Education in Prison (RCHEP) and the Alliance for Higher Education in Prison are excited to announce Preparing for Pell, a series of webinars and workshops in anticipation of Pell expansion for eligible incarcerated students on July 1, 2023. This series is an opportunity to share research findings and engage in open conversation with students and practitioners. Since the Department of Education (ED) released its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) last July, students, practitioners, and other advocates have sought clarity about what they can expect this summer, first through public comments submitted to ED last August. ED published responses in its final regulations in October of 2022. However, judging by subsequent communications from ED and other experts, it remains unclear exactly how ED will resolve many questions raised in public comments.
Lewis University began its spring semester of classes at several locations, including its new program inside Sheridan Correctional Center. Nineteen students began their journey as the first cohort of Lewis University Prison Education Program Second Chance Pell grants.
Lewis University began its spring semester of classes at several locations, including its new program inside Sheridan Correctional Center. Nineteen students began their journey as the first cohort of Lewis University Prison Education Program Second Chance Pell grants.
An incarcerated person describes how they risked having a cell phone in prison in order to access a college education otherwise unavailable to them inside.
An incarcerated person describes how they risked having a cell phone in prison in order to access a college education otherwise unavailable to them inside.
Since 2019, Ignacio House has housed 15 “resident scholars” who study at N.Y. colleges and universities at a site in the Bronx. Last month, the community received permission from the Archdiocese of New York to move into its new home at the former residence of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers in Manhattan.
Since 2019, Ignacio House has housed 15 “resident scholars” who study at N.Y. colleges and universities at a site in the Bronx. Last month, the community received permission from the Archdiocese of New York to move into its new home at the former residence of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers in Manhattan.
Since the inception of Utah's Higher Education for Incarcerated Youth program in 2021, hundreds have enrolled and taken classes. The most recent figures show 76 students throughout all the state facilities, earning a total of 539 college credits between them.
Since the inception of Utah's Higher Education for Incarcerated Youth program in 2021, hundreds have enrolled and taken classes. The most recent figures show 76 students throughout all the state facilities, earning a total of 539 college credits between them.
This partnership comes at a pivotal moment in the national higher education landscape, as eligible incarcerated individuals will again have access to Pell grants in July of 2023.
This partnership comes at a pivotal moment in the national higher education landscape, as eligible incarcerated individuals will again have access to Pell grants in July of 2023.
California public universities are becoming more equitable and inclusive as new programs for formerly incarcerated students emerge and grow on their campuses.
California public universities are becoming more equitable and inclusive as new programs for formerly incarcerated students emerge and grow on their campuses.
The Alliance for Higher Education in Prison is partnering with, W.W. Norton, the largest independent and employee-owned publisher. W. W. Norton publishes 400 books annually through its trade, college, and professional departments.
The Alliance for Higher Education in Prison is partnering with, W.W. Norton, the largest independent and employee-owned publisher. W. W. Norton publishes 400 books annually through its trade, college, and professional departments.
The U.S. Department of Education has released Prison Education Programs (PEP) Question and Answers pertaining to some frequently asked queries about: Accreditation (AC), Reporting Requirements (RR), the Application Process (AP), and much more.
The U.S. Department of Education has released Prison Education Programs (PEP) Question and Answers pertaining to some frequently asked queries about: Accreditation (AC), Reporting Requirements (RR), the Application Process (AP), and much more.
Beyond preparing students for successful careers, colleges and universities play a critical role in producing engaged and informed citizens. Part of reentry includes secure employment and housing, participation in local and national elections, and the Education Justice Project (EJP) has created a guide that provides links to informative resources to help with the transition and basic needs of the students returning to their communities.
Beyond preparing students for successful careers, colleges and universities play a critical role in producing engaged and informed citizens. Part of reentry includes secure employment and housing, participation in local and national elections, and the Education Justice Project (EJP) has created a guide that provides links to informative resources to help with the transition and basic needs of the students returning to their communities.
Higher education in prison (HEP) transforms lives and strengthens communities. It saves taxpayers money and reduces prison violence. Research indicates HEP contributes to reduced recidivism, supporting public safety and protecting families and communities.
Higher education in prison (HEP) transforms lives and strengthens communities. It saves taxpayers money and reduces prison violence. Research indicates HEP contributes to reduced recidivism, supporting public safety and protecting families and communities.
To effectively contend with racist, authoritarian forces, our work must be as powerful as possible. Maurice Mitchell unpacks the problems our organizations and movements face, identifies underlying causes and core problems, and proposes concrete solutions.
To effectively contend with racist, authoritarian forces, our work must be as powerful as possible. Maurice Mitchell unpacks the problems our organizations and movements face, identifies underlying causes and core problems, and proposes concrete solutions.
Professor Deborah Arthur of Portland State University’s (PSU) University Studies Program started PSU’s higher education in prison program in 2019 and has advocated for Portland State’s role as a leader in education for incarcerated students. Her commitment and tenacity has abetted the program's growth.
Professor Deborah Arthur of Portland State University’s (PSU) University Studies Program started PSU’s higher education in prison program in 2019 and has advocated for Portland State’s role as a leader in education for incarcerated students. Her commitment and tenacity has abetted the program's growth.
When it comes to education in prison, policy and research often focus on how it benefits society or improves the life circumstances of those who are serving time.
When it comes to education in prison, policy and research often focus on how it benefits society or improves the life circumstances of those who are serving time.
Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Brown was an aspiring teacher and mother to a young son when she entered the prison system over 20 years ago. After being sentenced, Brown immediately began to think about and explore opportunities for self-improvement as she looked ahead to a future beyond the prison walls.
Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Brown was an aspiring teacher and mother to a young son when she entered the prison system over 20 years ago. After being sentenced, Brown immediately began to think about and explore opportunities for self-improvement as she looked ahead to a future beyond the prison walls.
By extending admissions to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated students, HBCUs are not only making college more accessible; they are also enacting education as a tool for Black liberation. These are the programs powering the "prison-to-college" pipeline.
By extending admissions to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated students, HBCUs are not only making college more accessible; they are also enacting education as a tool for Black liberation. These are the programs powering the "prison-to-college" pipeline.
Originally airing in 2019, College Behind Bars, is an Emmy-nominated, four-part documentary about the transformative power of education.
Originally airing in 2019, College Behind Bars, is an Emmy-nominated, four-part documentary about the transformative power of education.
Notre Dame Programs for Education in Prison (NDPEP) hosted a panel discussion with stakeholders to discuss collaboration on higher education in prison programs, career development, and reentry support.
Notre Dame Programs for Education in Prison (NDPEP) hosted a panel discussion with stakeholders to discuss collaboration on higher education in prison programs, career development, and reentry support.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) reviewed the Department of Education's (ED) new rule entitled "Pell Grants for Prison Education Programs; Determining the Amount of Federal Education Assistance Funds Received by Institutions of Higher Education (90/10); Change in Ownership and Change in Control."
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) reviewed the Department of Education's (ED) new rule entitled "Pell Grants for Prison Education Programs; Determining the Amount of Federal Education Assistance Funds Received by Institutions of Higher Education (90/10); Change in Ownership and Change in Control."
More than half a million people could benefit from the reinstatement of the Pell Grant for incarcerated students in July, and efforts are underway to start college-in-prison programs for this group.
More than half a million people could benefit from the reinstatement of the Pell Grant for incarcerated students in July, and efforts are underway to start college-in-prison programs for this group.
This article is part of Community Strategies for Systemic Change, an ongoing series co-produced by the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and NPQ. In the series, urban and rural grassroots leaders from across the United States share how their communities are developing and implementing strategies—grounded in local places, cultures, and histories—to shift power and achieve systemic change.
This article is part of Community Strategies for Systemic Change, an ongoing series co-produced by the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and NPQ. In the series, urban and rural grassroots leaders from across the United States share how their communities are developing and implementing strategies—grounded in local places, cultures, and histories—to shift power and achieve systemic change.
"The concept of “viral justice” offers a fresh orientation, a way of looking at (or looking again) at all the ways people are working, little by little, day by day, to combat unjust systems and build alternatives to the oppressive status quo...
"The concept of “viral justice” offers a fresh orientation, a way of looking at (or looking again) at all the ways people are working, little by little, day by day, to combat unjust systems and build alternatives to the oppressive status quo...
Collateral consequences are scattered throughout state and federal statutory and regulatory codes and can be unknown even to those responsible for their administration and enforcement. There is often a lack of coordination in different sections of state and federal codes, which makes it difficult to identify all of the penalties and disabilities that may be triggered by a particular conviction.
Collateral consequences are scattered throughout state and federal statutory and regulatory codes and can be unknown even to those responsible for their administration and enforcement. There is often a lack of coordination in different sections of state and federal codes, which makes it difficult to identify all of the penalties and disabilities that may be triggered by a particular conviction.
View the 2021-2022 Annual Report
View the 2021-2022 Annual Report
This new report supports ensuring all currently and formerly incarcerated persons have an equal opportunity to succeed as students and individuals.
This new report supports ensuring all currently and formerly incarcerated persons have an equal opportunity to succeed as students and individuals.
New juvenile justice analysis reveals the system’s unequal and limited use of diversion from court involvement, particularly for Black youth.
New juvenile justice analysis reveals the system’s unequal and limited use of diversion from court involvement, particularly for Black youth.
Ross threw himself into learning everything he could about the role of postsecondary education in the lives of incarcerated people. He also started talking to anyone who would listen about the program’s potential. One of those listeners was Sen. Norman Sanderson, R-Carteret, Craven, and Pamlico.
Ross threw himself into learning everything he could about the role of postsecondary education in the lives of incarcerated people. He also started talking to anyone who would listen about the program’s potential. One of those listeners was Sen. Norman Sanderson, R-Carteret, Craven, and Pamlico.
Outside of the “fresh start” policy, there are two ways people who have defaulted can restore their Pell eligibility. They can pay off the balance in its entirety, which can be a daunting prospect as more than 40 percent of borrowers in default owe at least $20,000. The Education Department has also established a process called rehabilitation that allows people to make nine consecutive monthly payments of at least $5.
Outside of the “fresh start” policy, there are two ways people who have defaulted can restore their Pell eligibility. They can pay off the balance in its entirety, which can be a daunting prospect as more than 40 percent of borrowers in default owe at least $20,000. The Education Department has also established a process called rehabilitation that allows people to make nine consecutive monthly payments of at least $5.
Yesterday, the Biden administration took a bold first step to tackling the $1.7 trillion student debt crisis in this country by providing limited student debt cancellation. Already, borrowers and advocates are asking important questions for clarity on process and eligibility.
Yesterday, the Biden administration took a bold first step to tackling the $1.7 trillion student debt crisis in this country by providing limited student debt cancellation. Already, borrowers and advocates are asking important questions for clarity on process and eligibility.
