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Conversation. Inspiration. Collaboration.

Hear from some of the people who inspire us and our work!

The field of higher education in prison consists of a diverse community of people who come to this work for many different reasons. In particular, we believe that the knowledge and contributions from currently and formerly incarcerated people are critical for the field of higher education in prison.

College in prison programs can foster the opportunity to build solidarity around the shared goal of dismantling the prison industrial complex through providing access to higher education. 

Stanley Andrisse

“Education was literally this rehabilitative thing for me and has helped propel me to where I am today.”

Stanley Andrisse

Assistant Professor, Howard University School of Medicine

Susannah Bannon, Ph.D.

“We have people who want to learn and who are eager to improve their lives and yet the narrative is that they are not deserving of that.”

Susannah Bannon, Ph.D.

Assistant Director, Alliance for Higher Education in Prison

Erin Castro

“Colleges and universities must recognize incarcerated people as potential college students who are fully capable and worthy of their investment.”

Erin Castro

Assistant Professor of Higher Education, University of Utah

Naomi Dennis

“Teachers who teach inside prison talk about what it’s like to teach someone who understands that the right to learn is not actually a right.”

Naomi Dennis

Advisory Board Chair, Alliance for Higher Education in Prison

Michelle Jones

“You have never seen real joy on a woman’s face until you saw her walk across a podium with her kids in the audience knowing that she achieved something while incarcerated that she may not have even imagined for herself when she was out.”

Michelle Jones

Doctoral Student, New York University

Molly Lasagna

“What we are trying to do is build community inside of a system that is intentionally structured to divide people from each other.”

Molly Lasagna

Senior Program Officer, Ascendium

Danny Murillo

“It was in solitary confinement that I was exposed to the power of education and how it can serve as a tool for transformation.”

Danny Murillo

Research and Program Analyst, The Opportunity Institute

Devon Simmons

“I would hope that we can come together collectively, not just as formerly incarcerated people and progressive people, but as everyone in society.”

Devon Simmons

Global Ambassador for Education, John Jay College

Toya Wall

“I really view higher ed in prison as this opportunity to make right our wrongs as a community where we failed, we get this second chance to succeed.”

Toya Wall

Senior Program Officer, Ascendium Education Group

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Vimeo Link

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We Want to Hear from You!

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