Prison Education Programs: Going to College in Prison

You don't have to relinquish your dreams of higher education and a meaningful career just because you have been incarcerated. Explore our guide to going to college in prison to learn more about how you, your friend, or a family member can take advantage of education programs on the inside.

What Are Prison Education Programs?

Broadly speaking, prison education programs (PEPs) are any educational programs held in a correctional facility, including vocational training, career development programs, high school equivalency classes, and college courses.

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) describes PEPs more strictly as "eligible programs defined by statute, offered by a public or nonprofit educational institution, or a postsecondary vocational institution." These programs can lead to an undergraduate certificate or an associate or bachelor's degree. As of December 2020, you can apply for a Pell Grant if you attend an ED-approved PEP.

The Benefits of a Prison Education Program

Education can be a path to social, economic, and personal freedom for anyone, but for people in prison, it can be a lifeline while incarcerated and transformational after returning home. PEPs can help people serving time to get a GED or high school diploma, learn marketable skills, start college, or even complete a degree program. Consider the following benefits:

• Studies show a 43% reduction in recidivism among people who participated in a PEP before being paroled.
• PEPs offer a return on investment ranging from 1:5 to 1:12.
• Returning citizens who participated in a PEP were 3.1% more likely to find a job after release than those who had not gone through a PEP.
• The RAND Corporation found that every $1 invested in a PEP returned $4-$5 in the first three years after release.
• In one study at an Indiana prison, incarcerated students committed 75% fewer infractions than other prisoners.

Who Pays for Education in Prisons?

Most PEPs are funded through private grants, institutional funds, or state budgets. However, the U.S. federal government supports some PEPs by providing Pell Grants to qualifying students in those programs.

Pell Grants for People in Prison

In the 1980s, incarcerated people could use Pell Grants to pay for their education. However, in 1994, new legislation prevented people in prison from accessing federal funds for college.

The rules changed again in 2015 when the federal government launched Second Chance Pell, which allowed people in prison to apply for Pell Grants for select programs. Between 2016-2022, 40,000 students at 75 colleges participated in Second Chance Pell.

Today, incarcerated people can apply for Pell Grants using the simplified Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Privately Funded Prison Education Programs

Some individual schools raise private funds to pay for their PEPs, allowing students in prison to pursue higher education for free.

For example, the University of Utah solicits financial contributions for its prison education project and even asks donors to purchase learning supplies on Amazon. The State of Ohio provides career-technical education in all its youth and adult correctional facilities using a combination of Pell Grants and state dollars.

Examples of Prison Education Programs

The following schools represent just three of almost 400 research universities, technical colleges, and liberal arts colleges nationwide that offer educational programs in prisons.

Resources for Obtaining Education While in Prison

• Alliance for Higher Education in Prison: This organization advocates for higher education in prison through various projects, including research, conferences, and publishing a directory of programs.
• LINCS Community Correctional and Reentry Education: This group enrolls adult educators who serve in adult or juvenile corrections facilities. Members can participate in discussions and events.
• PEN America Prison and Justice Writing: This program has resourced, equipped, and honored incarcerated writers for the past 50 years. Through a mentorship, participants can connect with writers.
• Formerly Incarcerated College Graduates Network: This national network of formerly incarcerated professionals has over 1,300 members. As a member, you can attend workshops and conferences that help support professional development after incarceration.
• Vera Institute of Justice: Vera aims to end mass incarceration through various programs, including higher education. Its website features research on higher education in prison.
• Higher Education in Prison Research: Funded by the Mellon Foundation, this organization researches and maintains a database of empirical studies on higher education in prison.
• John Jay College Institute for Justice and Opportunity: This institute provides extensive access to research on higher education and incarceration. People with experience in the criminal justice system can also pursue the institute's human services and community justice certificate.

Tips for Transferring From a PEP to a Traditional or Online College

If you leave prison with college credits but no degree, you can transfer those credits into a degree-granting college and finish your program on the outside. To succeed in college after prison, consider the following suggestions:

Frequently Asked Questions About Higher Education in Prison

Do all prisons have education programs?

All federal prisons and around 90% of state prisons offer educational programming, such as basic literacy instruction, but not all of these programs lead to technical or undergraduate degrees or certificates.

Some incarcerated people take free college courses for inmates from correspondence schools or participate in life skills training. However, a growing number of prisons partner with universities or colleges to provide postsecondary education.

What types of educational programs are available to people in prison?

People in prison can almost always take advantage of basic literacy instruction, English as a Second Language courses, GED or high school equivalency coursework, and character-based or life skills training. Colleges and universities also increasingly offer certificates and associate and bachelor's degrees to people in prison.

Are prison education programs worth it?

Yes, prison education programs can reduce recidivism, boost economic opportunity, and improve an entire family's quality of life and relationships. PEPs benefit incarcerated people, returning citizens, and society by contributing to better-informed, more economically mobile, and safer communities.

Can you earn a bachelor's degree while in prison?

Yes, you can earn a bachelor's degree in prison, although you must be incarcerated in a facility that partners with a university or college that provides a bachelor's-level education. Explore the National Directory of Higher Education in Prison Programs to find out which schools and correctional facilities work together to make higher education accessible to people in prison.

Can you receive federal financial aid while you are incarcerated?

You can receive the Pell Grant while incarcerated, but only if you attend a program approved by ED. While you may qualify for a Pell Grant, other forms of federal aid, such as funds from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, may be inaccessible.