The New York UniversityPrison Education Program has received a $500,000 grant from the Ford Foundation to begin offering credit-bearing, university courses to incarcerated individuals at the Wallkill Correctional Facility, a medium-security prison in New York State’s Ulster County, which will enable students to earn an Associate of Arts (AA) degree from the university.
Beginning in the Spring 2015 semester, 36 men will take one of two NYU classes taught at the Wallkill facility, with up to three additional courses offered during the summer of 2015. Classes will be taught by NYU faculty.The program is also working with the Center for NuLeadership on Urban Solutions(CNUS), a leadingcommunity-based organization addressing post-prison release issues and working to create new paradigms for achieving human justice. CNUS was founded and is directed by formerly incarcerated individuals.NYU PEP is also being coordinated with the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) and overseen by a steering committee composed of faculty from several NYU Schools.
This initiative will also include providing educational and employment counseling, community support for families, and other services such as legal assistance to address human rights, housing, and employment issues.
Read more hereto learn more about this exciting new initiative.