Courtesy of Tyler Kendall, cbsnews.com “Lavonta Bass’ khaki-colored prison uniform peeks out from beneath his cap and gown. Honor cords are draped around the 42-year-old’s neck. He has spent over a decade in prison but says he was fine delaying … Continue reading →

From: https://www.princeton.edu/ The Prison Teaching Initiative (PTI) at Princeton University is one of five organizations awarded a collaborative National Science Foundation grant to build a national alliance that will forge robust pathways to STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) careers for people who are, … Continue reading →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

  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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →