Policymakers

Dear community,

Deportation can be a traumatic process very similar to reentry after prison. Both incarcerated people and detained people have been taken from their communities, deprived of their liberty and returned to places that may no longer be familiar to them. Deportation guidance is reentry support.

As such, I’m thrilled to share with you the fully updated 2026 deportation guide, A New Path: A Guide to the Challenges And Opportunities After Deportation

Applications for the 2026 Rockwood Leadership Institute Fellowship for Leaders in Higher Education in Prison close May 14! Read more about how to apply and what to expect in the application.

The Fellowship, designed by Rockwood staff, trainers, and system-impacted consultants, is designed to strengthen and cohere a core group of formerly incarcerated leaders working in the HEP sector. For all the details, including the Fellowship programming and timeline, purpose, goals, and more, see our Applicant Program Information…

If you believe colleges and universities should hire more individuals with lived experience and would like to learn about strategies for how to strengthen fair chance hiring practices at your institution: 

Register Here to attend the Fair Chance Hiring 101 session on May 12th from 2-3 PM ET

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ffd0UT2MShW2TFTDrjdJ2Q

Fair Chance 101 is an informational session for colleges and universities…

With generous funding from the ECMC Foundation, the Colorado Coalition for Higher Education in Prison (C-CHEP) has produced a research study of HEP coalitions. The report draws upon interviews with 33 leaders from statewide alliances, national advocacy groups, and leading HEP practitioners. Produced in collaboration with incarcerated and formerly incarcerated students, the report offers a nuanced dive into the opportunities, challenges, and joys of building education-based coalitions rooted in a commitment to social justice.

The Beginner’s Guide to Addiction Peer Recovery for Justice-Involved Individuals is a comprehensive resource designed to empower those impacted by addiction and the justice system. This guide offers insight into addiction peer recovery support, with a focus on supporting justice-impacted individuals through accessible, community-centered approaches.

 

Rockwood Leadership Institute, in partnership with Ascendium, is excited to announce that applications for the third cohort of the Fellowship for Leaders in Higher Education in Prison are now open! Full tuition and accommodations will be covered by Rockwood and fellows will receive a $5,000 stipend for completing the fellowship, along with up to $5,000 in training-related expense reimbursements (airfare, childcare, etc.).

Apply for the 2026 Fellowship for Leaders in Higher Education in Prison…

Hey RCHEP Community,

Have you learned with FICGN yet? Join us tomorrow for the last HEP Orientation Learning & Feedback Session, where we'll explore the impact of K-12 education on higher ed in prison and reentry success in our "Lessons from Local Leaders" workshop. 

Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2026 

Time: 11am ET/8am PT

Register and Attend:…

The New England Prison Education Collaborative invites you to the second session in our quarterly virtual workshop series, “Navigating the PEP Approval process: Forming Best Interest Determination (BID) Stakeholder Groups.”  

Date and Time: Wednesday, December 17, 3-4:15 P.M. EDT  

Register here: Navigating the PEP Approval Process: Forming Best Interest Determination (BID) Stakeholder Groups | Meeting-Join |…

The Cornell Prison Education Program will be hosting a one-day, pre-NCHEP research symposium designed for researchers and practitioners who study or aspire to study higher education in prison. 

This day-long event will be held in conjunction with the 2025 NCHEP conference on Wednesday, April 8th, 2026, at the Hilton Cleveland Downtown hotel (connected to the Cleveland Convention…

The Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC) brings together leaders from midwestern states to develop cost-savings opportunities, generate collaborative solutions to challenges and opportunities in higher education, and promote postsecondary alignment with workforce needs. 

Since the reinstatement of Pell Grant eligibility for incarcerated students under the FAFSA Simplification Act, colleges and universities across the country are exploring meaningful ways to design, launch, and scale high-quality Prison Education Programs (PEPs). As part of MHEC’s commitment to elevating…