As part of the Expanding Access to Postsecondary Education Project, the Vera Institute of Justicerecently released an online resource center to assist state departments of corrections and state and local policymakers in implementing and expanding quality higher education programs in prison and post-release. This includes the development of policies and practices to increase the participation of incarcerated individuals in these programs.
According to the officialVera press release:
Corrections departments, policymakers, and postsecondary institutions can use the resource center to connect with Vera staff and request assistance in developing programs tailored to their specific needs. This includes help with identifying barriers, opportunities, and best practices related to college program planning and implementation in prisons; facilitation of higher education, corrections, and community partnerships; and referrals to experts in the field.
The resource center will also include:
– Four Vera policy briefs on a range of issues related to postsecondary education programs in prison, such as case studies featuring successful programs and implementation guides.
– Presentations and trainings–both web-based and in-person at national corrections conferences–on best practices about college in correctional settings and during reentry.
-Four webinars on various aspects of postsecondary education, corrections, and reentry, featuring experts in the field.
Read the full press release here and visit the resource center here.