This work grew from my (Frank Sgro's) experience returning to higher education after serving a long prison sentence. I quickly learned that being capable of college-level work and understanding the language of college were two different things. Academic terms and expectations often assumed knowledge I had never been taught, and asking questions could feel like admitting I did not belong. Through my education and work with Dr. Cailyn Green, I began to see this as a larger barrier for students moving from prison into college. We created this work to identify that barrier and offer…
We are now accepting proposals for the third-annual Incarcerated Scholars Conference (ISC), which will be held virtually on October 28–29, 2026. This year's theme is "Learning in Motion."
Currently incarcerated students and currently incarcerated alumni of higher education in prison programs can submit a Presentation Proposal. Presenters (even those self-submitting) should be prepared to identify a proxy, who must be affiliated with an educational program currently in operation at the prison.
All…
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.
JFF's Center for Justice and Economic Advancement will be holding an Info Session about their Fair Chance Hiring in Hiring Education Learning Series on May 12th from 2-3 pm ET. If you would like to learn more about the Learning Series, and how your institution could benefit from participating, please fell free to register.
The Fair Chance Hiring in Higher Ed Learning Series is a one semester professional learning experience being held virtually this Fall and is designed for colleges and universities interested in expanding…
Please join us for the Project Mend Launch Event, celebrating the release of the fourth issue of Mend, an annual publication featuring writing and art by people impacted by the criminal legal system. It includes a Zoom option.
Now in its fourth year, Project Mend is a collaboration between Syracuse University and the Center for Community Alternatives that brings together incarcerated writers, formerly incarcerated writers, and family members and to produce a print and digital publication.
At the event, we will celebrate the publication while also…
The Puttkammer Center for Educational Justice at the Petey Greene Program is launching a new working group focused on academic co-creation with incarcerated scholars. We hope to gather a diverse group of scholars, faculty, and advocates, including and especially those who are impacted by the criminal legal system, to share theories and practices of co-creation that engage incarcerated scholars. We look forward to learning from each other, and we are especially interested in exploring…
With the reinstatement of Pell and TAP funding, and in collaboration with the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) and other identifiable stakeholders, the State University of New York (SUNY) seeks to increase and expand incarcerated individuals access to quality post-secondary education, both during and after incarceration. Included in this resource are 13 principles that guide the design, implementation, and metrics for success of SUNY’s programs inside prisons, jails, and federal correctional facilities in New York State.
Becoming an alumnus is about more than just a diploma or a completed program. It's about the memories forged, the friendships made, and the enduring sense of belonging that can enrich a person's life long after graduation. I know this feeling intimately. Though my time on campus was brief, I’ll always be a Colorado Buffalo. That shared identity keeps me connected to a broader network, allows me to support future students, and inspires me to proudly wear my CU gear whenever the Buffs play.
This powerful connection isn't unique to traditional college graduates.…
NASFAA 2nd Annual PEP Convening
Aligning Efforts: Navigating the Intersection of Student Services and Prison Education
Grand Hyatt Washington - Washington, DC
Wednesday, June 4, 3:30 p.m. ET through Saturday, June 7, 2025, 12:00 p.m. ET
The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) will host its second annual Prison Education Program (PEP) Convening in June. This in-person convening, …
Grand Hyatt Washington - Washington, DC
Wednesday, June 4, 3:30 p.m. ET through Saturday, June 7, 2025, 12:00 p.m. ET
Join us this summer in Washington, D.C., for the Second Annual Prison Education Program (PEP) Convening, hosted by The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA). This in-person convening will focus on the administration of higher education programs in prison and the critical services they provide to incarcerated students.
…
