Expand Postsecondary Education in Prison

How We See the Problem

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the prison population in the U.S. has skyrocketed in recent decades, with one in a hundred adults — about 2.3 million — currently incarcerated. Nearly all of those individuals will return to their communities at some point, and research has demonstrated that postsecondary education dramatically improves the odds of successful reentry into the community and the labor force.

However, access to programs and cost of programs are obstacles, and often the programming is disconnected from career opportunities.

The majority of incarcerated individuals — 64% — have a high school credential. They’re academically eligible for a postsecondary education program; but for most, it’s out of reach. Unfortunately, 93% of colleges don’t provide postsecondary education in prison. Of those that do provide programs, many have limited capacity to serve all interested individuals.

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Graph showing: 64% of the people in prison are academically eligible to enroll in a postsecondary education program. Graph showing: Of the approximately 4500 degree-granting colleges and universities, less than 7% provide in-prison higher education

Ready for Pell

This two-year initiative is designed to support and strengthen postsecondary education in prison programs in advance of the full restoration of Pell Grant eligibility for incarcerated learners, coming in the 2023-24 academic year.

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Our Three Investment Priorities

Implement new practices and scale proven high-quality postsecondary education in prison models.

Identify and amplify promising approaches to delivering postsecondary education in prison.
Encourage decision makers to advance the replication and responsible scaling of quality postsecondary education in prison programs.
Identify promising technology innovations to address barriers to success, optimize program design, support further pedagogical innovation and increase equitable student choice.

Develop a better understanding of incarcerated learners through data and research.

Support systems, institutions and program providers in developing ethical data collection methodologies and building data infrastructure.
Support research to evaluate program design, delivery and impact.
Build a body of evidence so that decision makers within postsecondary education and corrections agencies are equipped with critical information on reforming policies and practices that increase program quality, impact and learner outcomes.

Support strategic partnerships between postsecondary education, corrections systems, employers and community-based organizations.

Strengthen postsecondary education in prison systems by seeding and nurturing alliances and coalitions among organizations that have shared missions to support incarcerated learners' success.
Support states and intermediary organizations to create stronger systems of postsecondary education in prison delivery, which may include developing data collection standards, data infrastructures and supports, providing direct technical assistance and facilitating well-structured peer learning opportunities.

Grants to Expand Postsecondary Education in Prison

Teaching and Learning Initiative

Exploration

Mount Tamalpais College|$958,700|7/2018 - 6/2021

This grant supports the Prison University Project (PUP) in developing and implementing trauma-informed teaching practices in prison-based college programming and assessing their impact. The grant will also enable PUP to develop and disseminate training materials based on the lessons learned.

Alliance for Higher Education in Prison Capacity Building

Exploration

Alliance for Higher Education in Prison|$300,000|6/2018 - 5/2021

This grant supports the Alliance for Higher Education in Prison as it works toward a 501(c)(3) designation, hires core staff, builds infrastructure, solidifies key partnerships and develops three primary strategic focus areas: programmatic support, resource and information sharing, and research and data.

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Latest News

April 11, 2024

How Postsecondary Education in Prison Pathways Empower Incarcerated Learners to Reach Their Full Potential

In observance of Second Chance Month, we're shining a spotlight on postsecondary education in prison pathways. As the White House and others encourage a more comprehensive approach to educating incarcerated learners, it’s imperative that we design clear pathways supported by essential wraparound services. This enables incarcerated learners to seamlessly enter postsecondary education programs while incarcerated and gain valuable credentials and workforce opportunities upon release.

April 11, 2024

Ascendium Releases 2023 Education Philanthropy Report, From Learning to Action

Ascendium released its 2023 Education Philanthropy Report, From Learning to Action. The report highlights our “learning while doing” approach to grantmaking.

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Resources

2023 Education Philanthropy Report: From Learning to Action

Our 2023 report reflects on our continued efforts to build evidence and share actionable insights through our grantmaking. Inside, you’ll read how our philanthropy catalyzes change to postsecondary education and workforce training systems so more learners from low-income backgrounds can achieve their goals. You’ll also get insights into the upcoming year.

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PEP Reference Sheets

Navigating financial aid for incarcerated learners poses challenges, particularly with federal regulations around the newly expanded availability of Pell Grants. To assist financial aid administrators in this process, the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators has developed advising reference sheets.

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