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The Alliance is excited to announce the launch of our 2025 Cohort program, designed to empower prison education programs to integrate remote work-based learning (WBL) into curricula. Over the course of a year, cohort members will gain access to the tools, knowledge, and strategies needed to implement WBL within their PEPs, contributing to an emerging practice that is redefining the landscape of education in the carceral space.
The Alliance is excited to announce the launch of our 2025 Cohort program, designed to empower prison education programs to integrate remote work-based learning (WBL) into curricula. Over the course of a year, cohort members will gain access to the tools, knowledge, and strategies needed to implement WBL within their PEPs, contributing to an emerging practice that is redefining the landscape of education in the carceral space.
Higher Education in Prison programs are welcome to apply for book donations from W.W. Norton for their upcoming classes. Applications close November 20!
Higher Education in Prison programs are welcome to apply for book donations from W.W. Norton for their upcoming classes. Applications close November 20!
After welcoming our inaugural 2023 - 2024 Alliance Fellows, we revisit their work and contributions as members of the Alliance team in a six month fellowship update!
After welcoming our inaugural 2023 - 2024 Alliance Fellows, we revisit their work and contributions as members of the Alliance team in a six month fellowship update!
We are now accepting applications for NCHEP volunteer opportunities. Volunteers are integral members of the conference and can support in a variety of roles including, tech support for incarcerated presenters, session logistics, panel moderation, and registration. If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out our application. We will be in contact in the coming months with more information and volunteer assignments.
We are now accepting applications for NCHEP volunteer opportunities. Volunteers are integral members of the conference and can support in a variety of roles including, tech support for incarcerated presenters, session logistics, panel moderation, and registration. If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out our application. We will be in contact in the coming months with more information and volunteer assignments.
Second Chance Education Alliance, Prison-to-Professionals and FICGN are investigating the impact of test-optional policies on justice-impacted BIPOC students in higher education.
Second Chance Education Alliance, Prison-to-Professionals and FICGN are investigating the impact of test-optional policies on justice-impacted BIPOC students in higher education.
To celebrate W.W. Norton & Company’s Centenary, the book publishers committed to donating books directly to higher education in prison programs across the country. This past spring, Norton partnered with the Alliance to solicit book requests. This partnership has resulted in 4,411 textbook donations to 35 HEP programs in 17 states.
To celebrate W.W. Norton & Company’s Centenary, the book publishers committed to donating books directly to higher education in prison programs across the country. This past spring, Norton partnered with the Alliance to solicit book requests. This partnership has resulted in 4,411 textbook donations to 35 HEP programs in 17 states.
We welcome discourse and debate relating to the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, coined “Cop City” by activists and organizers, at our conference. Members of our community have reached out with concerns about the conference location in Atlanta. We appreciate this feedback and we hopeall will continue this dialogue. The conference location will not move. However, we encourage all who travel to participate in NCHEP to engage thoughtfully with the history, city, and community of Atlanta.
We welcome discourse and debate relating to the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, coined “Cop City” by activists and organizers, at our conference. Members of our community have reached out with concerns about the conference location in Atlanta. We appreciate this feedback and we hopeall will continue this dialogue. The conference location will not move. However, we encourage all who travel to participate in NCHEP to engage thoughtfully with the history, city, and community of Atlanta.
The Second Chance Pell Experimental Sites Initiative (SCP) and the July 2023 Pell Grant reinstatement are two related, but distinct attempts to create more educational opportunities for incarcerated folks. The former is an exploratory program available to select colleges in the U.S. and the latter is a federal law that repeals the ban on full Pell eligibility for incarcerated people.
The Second Chance Pell Experimental Sites Initiative (SCP) and the July 2023 Pell Grant reinstatement are two related, but distinct attempts to create more educational opportunities for incarcerated folks. The former is an exploratory program available to select colleges in the U.S. and the latter is a federal law that repeals the ban on full Pell eligibility for incarcerated people.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.