From: https://news.camden.rutgers.edu It’s about being aware of your opportunities, your potential, and “the hidden treasure inside” of you, explains Darryl Brooks. There are days, says the recent Rutgers University–Camden graduate, when he will stand on the driveway of his Mount Laurel … Continue reading
Category Archives: News
July 10, 2019
by Eric Pereira
Comments Off on After 25 Years, Why the Tide Turned for Pell Grants in Prisons
After 25 Years, Why the Tide Turned for Pell Grants in Prisons
From: https://www.chronicle.com Pell Grants for the incarcerated. The political tide is turning on “Pell Grants for prisoners.” A bipartisan groundswell is emerging to reverse the 25-year-old ban on allowing incarcerated people to receive support from the key student-aid program. A bill … Continue reading
June 26, 2019
by Eric Pereira
Comments Off on Unlocking HigherEd Releases Social Media Toolkit for Advocacy Efforts
Unlocking HigherEd Releases Social Media Toolkit for Advocacy Efforts
From: UHE Social Media Toolkit Unlock Higher Education is a coalition of stakeholders dedicated to advocating for policy solutions that increase educational access for individuals with criminal convictions. Advocacy Efforts While this call-to-action can be used by anyone in any … Continue reading
Tia Ryans Makes the Most of Her Second Chance
From: https://sasn.rutgers.edu Thirty-three-year-old Tia Ryans (SASN ’19) is not your traditional college graduate. A formerly incarcerated student who arrived at Rutgers University–Newark (RU-N) in 2015, she has walked a path no one should have to tread. But with laser-like focus and … Continue reading
NJ-STEP Alum Highlighted at RU-N Commencement
From: https://us3.campaign-archive.com During this years commencement, Chancellor Nancy Cantor highlights the work of NJ-STEP and specifically a 2018 graduate Ron Pierce who served 30 years in prison. After referencing Ron and his work during his incarceration and after graduation, an applause … Continue reading
May 28, 2019
by Eric Pereira
Comments Off on Vera Institute Releases Final Report on Pathways Project
Vera Institute Releases Final Report on Pathways Project
From: https://www.vera.org NJSTEP, alongside programs from Michigan and North Carolina, is featured in the Vera Institute’s final report on the Pathways from Prison to Postsecondary Education Project. This report describes the demonstration project’s design and implementation, the experiences of Pathways partners … Continue reading
Integrity Forged in Cages
From: https://www.truthdig.com Chris Hedges gave this talk to 27 graduating students who were formerly incarcerated—several of whom he taught in prison—and their families at Rutgers University on Friday. The ceremony was held by the Mountainview Program at Rutgers, which helps … Continue reading
April 26, 2019
by Eric Pereira
Comments Off on Why ‘Lifers’ Need Access to Postsecondary Correctional Education
Why ‘Lifers’ Need Access to Postsecondary Correctional Education
From: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com More than 20 years ago, the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 made incarcerated individuals ineligible for Pell Grants, the funds awarded to students seeking a college degree who demonstrate exceptional financial need. This policy … Continue reading
Congress Should Repeal the Ban on Pell Grants
From: https://www.americanprogress.org/ Close the Curtain on This 1994 Legislative Penal Drama A lot has changed in the 25 years since the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act was passed. For many elected officials, it is now politically advantageous to be … Continue reading
Second Chance Pell: 8,800 Justice Impacted Students
From: https://thecrimereport.org Since 2015, about 8,800 incarcerated individuals have received federal Pell grant assistance to take college-level courses inside their correctional institutions. But has the program made a difference to their lives? So far, the answer is unclear. Not only is … Continue reading
March 19, 2019
by Eric Pereira
Comments Off on Social Supports Essential to Maintain Mental Health in Reentry
Social Supports Essential to Maintain Mental Health in Reentry
From: https://news.rutgers.edu The study, published in the International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, found that [the formerly incarcerated], particularly those of color, who had access to and used social resources had better mental health and a more successful reentry back into … Continue reading
March 7, 2019
by Eric Pereira
Comments Off on NJSTEP’s Formerly Incarcerated Speakers Advocate for the Voting Rights of the Incarcerated at Princeton University Panel
NJSTEP’s Formerly Incarcerated Speakers Advocate for the Voting Rights of the Incarcerated at Princeton University Panel
From: http://www.dailyprincetonian.com A panel organized by SPEAR at Princeton University, primarily made up of Rutgers Mountainview students centering around S2100 (also known as A3456), a bill introduced in the New Jersey state legislature in March 2018 that would remove prohibition on voting … Continue reading
NJ-STEP Professor Awarded Seed Grant
From: https://rutgersclassics.com Emily Allen-Hornblower, associate professor of Classics at Rutgers-New Brunswick and a professor with NJ-STEP, has been awarded one of The Whiting Foundation’s five Public Engagement Seed Grants for 2019-20 for a series of communal conversations, “The Public Face of Emotions: Public Engagement and the Emotions in Our … Continue reading
March 1, 2019
by Eric Pereira
Comments Off on A National Day of Empathy for Those Impacted by the Justice System
A National Day of Empathy for Those Impacted by the Justice System
From: https://www.insidernj.com On March 5, 2019, Americans impacted by the criminal justice system nationwide will meet with lawmakers to share their stories and experiences. Crime hurts. Justice should heal. That’s why we’re joining the National Day of Empathy with #cut50 to build empathy … Continue reading
February 24, 2019
by Eric Pereira
Comments Off on Why is There Still and Ban on Pell Grants for Prisoners?
Why is There Still and Ban on Pell Grants for Prisoners?
Recent article, How the Federal Government Undermines Prison Education, by Jordan Smith.
February 9, 2019
by Eric Pereira
Comments Off on NJ-STEP Mentioned in Recent “On Contact” Episode
NJ-STEP Mentioned in Recent “On Contact” Episode
On Contact: Restoring voting rights in New Jersey Feb 9, 2019
January 31, 2019
by Eric Pereira
Comments Off on Vera Institute Releases “Investing in Futures” Report
Vera Institute Releases “Investing in Futures” Report
The Vera Institute of Justice released their report: Investing in Futures: Economic and Fiscal Benefits of Postsecondary Education in Prison. Overview (via https://www.vera.org/publications/investing-in-futures-education-in-prison) “Efforts to build robust postsecondary education programs in prison have accelerated in recent years, with support from a … Continue reading
January 16, 2019
by Eric Pereira
Comments Off on College Aid for Prisoners Pays Dividends for All Down the Line
College Aid for Prisoners Pays Dividends for All Down the Line
From: https://www.njspotlight.com Allowing prisoners to receive federal aid to pay for college courses while incarcerated would reduce recidivism rates, save states money and boost the economy as former inmates get higher-paying jobs, a new report shows. Entitled Investing in Futures, the … Continue reading
December 5, 2018
by Eric Pereira
Comments Off on “Getting a College Education Behind Bars”, a comic by Elissa Nadworny featured on NPR
“Getting a College Education Behind Bars”, a comic by Elissa Nadworny featured on NPR
Click to read the whole comic
November 7, 2018
by Eric Pereira
Comments Off on New Report Shows Prison Can Block Access to Education for Life
New Report Shows Prison Can Block Access to Education for Life
Data sheds light on the educational mobility of formerly incarcerated people. Read full story here. Shani Saxon OCT 31, 2018 3:32PM EDT
October 18, 2018
by Eric Pereira
Comments Off on At This College, Academic Excellence Requires Passion for the Social Good
At This College, Academic Excellence Requires Passion for the Social Good
At New Jersey’s Rutgers University, a new honors program for undergraduates is redefining academic excellence. Students accepted into the highly competitive Honors Living Learning Community (HLLC) study critical social issues and prove their commitment to becoming “change-makers.” While the program … Continue reading
October 2, 2018
by Eric Pereira
Comments Off on ‘Exceptional student’ at Rutgers, on Parole, Wants His Right to Vote Back. He’s Not Alone.
‘Exceptional student’ at Rutgers, on Parole, Wants His Right to Vote Back. He’s Not Alone.
A voting restoration event at Rutgers, featuring many NJSTEP students, drew a large crowd this week, read full story here. Former Jackson resident Ron Pierce (center, at microphone) speaks at Rutgers about restoring the vote to those in prison, on … Continue reading
September 24, 2018
by Eric Pereira
Comments Off on NJSTEP Recently Highlighted in the Daily Targum
NJSTEP Recently Highlighted in the Daily Targum
9/21/18 – “Rutgers program educates prison inmates while they serve time”… read full article 9/23/18 – EDITORIAL: “Prison program will improve many lives” … read full article
September 5, 2018
by Eric Pereira
Comments Off on NJSTEP Alum Advocates for Voting Rights Restoration
NJSTEP Alum Advocates for Voting Rights Restoration
Ronald Pierce, Formerly Incarcerated, Now an Advocate of Voting Rights for Those with Criminal Convictions BY FERLANDA FOX NIXON // NJ-STEP, CRIMINAL JUSTICE, NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE September 5, 2018 LINK TO ARTICLE Ronald Pierce addresses attendees at a … Continue reading
August 9, 2018
by Eric Pereira
Comments Off on Common App Drops Criminal History Question
Common App Drops Criminal History Question
The Common Application announced Tuesday that it is dropping the question it has been asking since 2006 about applicants’ criminal histories. Read More
August 2, 2018
by Eric Pereira
Comments Off on NJTV – Program gives prisoners a second chance through college
NJTV – Program gives prisoners a second chance through college
See the recent feature on NJTV News highlighting the work of NJ-STEP and it’s students.
July 2, 2018
by Eric Pereira
Comments Off on NJ Close to Giving Prisoners Access to State Financial Aid for College Courses
NJ Close to Giving Prisoners Access to State Financial Aid for College Courses
From: https://www.njspotlight.com Former Gov. Jim McGreevey says initiative would be ‘a game changer,’ offering those who are incarcerated the prospect of a career rather than a return to the streets ‘with no hope’ New Jersey would become one of the few … Continue reading
June 18, 2018
by Eric Pereira
Comments Off on Educational Opportunities For Incarcerated Individuals : A Second Chance
Educational Opportunities For Incarcerated Individuals : A Second Chance
From: https://www.educationdive.com When Congress decided to stop extending Pell grant eligibility to prisoners, despite the fact that a Government Accountability Office report at the time showed there was no impact on other needy students’ ability to receive aid by maintaining prison Pell, several … Continue reading