Contacts: Main Office – Xavier Hall, 318. 3733 West Pine Mall, St. Louis, MO 63108. Phone: 314-977-3206
Program Description:The Saint Louis University Prison Program is a Jesuit inspired initiative that provides education to prison staff and people incarcerated in Missouri, promotes service, and conducts research on education and incarceration.
The SLU Prison Program is the only on-site program in the US serving two underserved populations: people incarcerated and employees. At the Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center (ERDCC) in Bonne Terre, MO, SLU offers a degree program and arts and education programming while investigating the connections between education and recidivism.
The Prison Program offers an Associate of Arts degree program to both prison staff and incarcerated people. Further, the College Prep program prepares incarcerated people for college experiences both inside and outside of prison. The Prison Arts & Education Program (PAEP) brings experiences of the arts and humanities to the facility through a speaker series and workshops. Further, incarcerated students and graduates volunteer through the Inside Out Alliance, a student service organization that promotes SLU’s mission within the prison community.
Degrees Offered:Associate of Arts
Programs Offered:In the Associate of Arts Degree Program professors from across the University teach classes in humanities, socialsciences, mathematics, and sciences. Classes are on-site for incarcerated and staff students.
The Prison Arts &Education Program provides non-credit arts performances and workshops for incarcerated men andstaff.
The College Prep Programhelps prepare incarcerated students for entry into a degree programs while incarcerated or after release.
Unique Features: The Prison Program provides educational opportunities to the Missouri prison community. It is the only degree-granting, onsite program in Missouri serving both incarcerated people and prison staff.
Headquarters: St. Louis, MO and Bonne Terre, MO
Correctional Facilities Served: Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center (ERDCC), Bonne Terre, MO
Population Served:Incarcerated people and prison employees.
Number of Students: 40 degree seeking students, 20 college prep students, and 100 people each month participate in our non-credit arts programming
Graduates to Date:N/A
Year Founded: 2008
Founder:Kenneth Parker, PhD
College/University/Organization Partnerships: Saint Louis University
Funding:N/A