The 15th National Conference on Higher Education in Prison (NCHEP)

Registration is now open for the 15th National Conference on Higher Education in Prison (NCHEP), which will take place April 8-10, 2026 in Cleveland, OH. 

This unique convening brings together educators, students and alumni, policymakers, advocates, funders, corrections professionals, and researchers from across the U.S. to explore the state of higher education in prison and its future.

This year's conference will be organized around the theme, Beyond Access. It calls our field to move beyond celebrating entry points and toward examining the integrity, depth, and potential of education during incarceration. In this time of shifting policies, funding challenges, and evolving student needs, sustainability means more than survival; it must reflect equity, accountability, and long-term impact. This theme challenges us to consider how to build coordinated systems, scalable practices, and shared responsibility within and beyond the classroom.

Those who’ve joined the Alliance in previous years will see some exciting changes at the 2026 NCHEP: 

• The conference will be held at the Huntington Convention Center, which means there will be more space to welcome even more attendees!
• The Alliance is thrilled to be able to add a third day of programming: Wednesday, April 8th will be a day of special sessions, including extended workshops, site visits, and more! (All programing, from Wednesday, April 8th–Friday, April 10th, will be open to all conference attendees) 

The Alliance is offering discounted hotel room blocks as part of the registration process, and these tend to fill up quickly. Please register and book your hotel in a room block today! REGISTER

Please don't hesitate to reach out to the NCHEP Planning Team at nchep@higheredinprison.org with any questions or concerns.