In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest at the federal and state levels in expanding higher education in prisons, particularly expansions that offer a path to degrees or industry-recognized credentials. This report from the RAND Corporation provides guidance on key questions about in-prison college programs, helps corrections officials in assessing such opportunities,…

A fact sheet by the Center for Law and Social Policy details the effect the coronavirus pandemic on prison postsecondary education. Focusing on the spring 2020 term, the information highlights some changes in correctional facility visitation policy, highlights challenges in providing prison postsecondary education, recognizes the history of prison education disruption, and amplifies appropriate policy…

At least 95 percent of people in prison will eventually be released—and their ability to access and complete some form of a college degree or credential will increase their chances of overcoming post-incarceration barriers. A new report from The Campaign for College Opportunity offers insight on how college leaders and policymakers can help. The study is written…

Nearly 94 percent of the people currently incarcerated across the United States do not have a postsecondary degree, despite research indicating that higher education in prison decreases rates of reincarceration by improving chances of meaningful employment, stable housing, and successful reintegration in families and communities upon release. This report from the Institute for Higher Education…

A new report on helping incarcerated people obtain the education they need to improve their lives and avoid further contact with the justice system shows how much progress we’ve made – and how states could be doing so much better.

Research shows the importance of education on successful reentry for justice-involved individuals, where postsecondary education is proven to be meaningful to both reentry and labor market success. Nonetheless, opportunities to pursue postsecondary education in federal and state prisons are extremely limited. While federal and state prisons prioritize General Educational Development (GED) courses, traditional college courses…

Lumina Foundation believes high-quality education and training after high school should be available, affordable, and accessible to all—and that it should lead to further education and to good-paying jobs. Our commitment is motivated by a desire to use education to empower people who face longstanding, structural barriers, and we emphasize that commitment for people who…

High-quality postsecondary education offers people in prison new opportunities. It makes it possible for people leaving prison to build the lives they choose by equipping them with the tools they need to navigate the complex social and economic realities of America in the 21st century. So, too, it offers people serving long—or possibly endless—sentences the…

In 2017, more than 622,000 people were released from state and federal prisons. Of these individuals, 78% of the men and 83% of the women were between the ages of 25 and 54—the prime working age population. Those who receive some form of postsecondary education within prison are estimated to have a 10% better chance…

Equity and Excellence in Practice is the first comprehensive report written by and for practitioners to share recommendations for higher education in prison programs. The report draws upon the lessons learned from existing programs offering post-secondary education in prison settings.