Posted on July 1, 2025
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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. Whether it’s a high school, a dance team, a church, or even a professional sports team, humans inherently seek to belong. Psychologists and higher education researchers alike confirm that this sense of connectedness is crucial for long-term mental well-being—as vital, in fact, as the degree itself for college students (Maslow, 1943; Strayhorn, 2012/2019).
With the 2023 renewal of Pell grants for incarcerated learners, higher education in prison (HEP) programs are expanding, bringing this transformative sense of belonging directly into correctional facilities. For individuals behind bars, becoming an alumnus of a HEP program can offer far more than just a degree. It can significantly improve mental health and provide a critical foundation for successful reintegration into society.
Currently, prisons often contend with the negative pull of gang affiliations and other harmful forms of belonging. Even when individuals are incarcerated for years or decades, the fundamental human desire to fit in and be part of something larger than oneself remains. What if we offered a more positive alternative: a sense of belonging derived from an institution focused on education and personal growth? This could fundamentally shift the internal culture of prisons.
Prisons are not disappearing anytime soon, which means we have an opportunity, and a responsibility, to use these institutions to foster positive change. Educating incarcerated individuals costs less than re-incarcerating them. With millions of people already incarcerated, why not use that time to equip them with the tools and support they need to turn their lives around?
Think about it: people proudly wear college gear and cheer on their alma maters for decades. Alumni associations help graduates secure jobs and build networks. Individuals re-entering society from prison desperately need structural support for continued education and employment. A strong sense of belonging is intrinsically linked to sustained mental health, which directly impacts recidivism rates.
That's why we need more HEP programs that fully embrace and cultivate this culture of belonging. This could mean simple things like T-shirts with college logos that students can wear in the recreation yard or during visits. More importantly, it should absolutely include robust alumni associations where graduates can support each other, both pre- and post-release. These programs offer more than just degrees; they offer a lifeline of connection and hope.
This is not out of the question, but it requires a cooperative effort. It means getting buy-in from correctional leadership at each institution. It means the college or university needs to provide systemic support beyond just offering classes. It means valuing the students and listening to their needs. This all-hands-on-deck approach will be well worth the effort, as it will significantly improve the culture within facilities and enhance the readiness of individuals returning to society.
References:
Maslow, A. H. (1943). A theory of human motivation. Psychological Review, 50(4), 370–396.
Strayhorn, T. L. (2012). College students’ sense of belonging: A key to educational success. New York, NY: Routledge.
