Mission

The mission of the Prison Education Program is to provide transformative education for our neighbors who are incarcerated and returning from incarceration.

Rationale

  • MISSION: In the outworking of Eastern’s tenants of faith, reason, and justice, this educational program will have a transformative impact on individuals and communities.
  • MARKET: Many incarcerated persons recognize the transformative nature of education and are hungry to learn and earn credentials that will help them grow, and improve their success in reentry.
  • MANDATE: In 2016 Eastern University signed the Fair Chance Higher Education Pledge, a commitment to reducing barriers to higher education for individuals with criminal records.

Why Give?

  • 95% of incarcerated people are coming home.
  • Recidivism goes down over 43% among those who receive postsecondary education.
  • Lives of inside students are transformed for the better, and there is a positive effect on the entire prison environment.
  • Released persons are 13% more likely to obtain employment.
  • By 2020, 65% of all jobs will require postsecondary education and training beyond high school.
  • People of faith and conscience are called to reach out in redemptive ways to those in prison.

Give to the Prison Education Program

Donate Now! Become a Prison Education Program Club Donor

Program Goals

Workshops and Seminars

Supporting reentry for incarcerated persons (i.e. Life Skills Workshops, Soft & Hard Skills).

Inside-Out Classes

Traditional students and inside students take courses together at a correctional facility.

Degree Education

Men at SCI Chester would have the opportunity to earn an Associate of Arts degree.

Related News

Reflection on Teaching Entrepreneurship at SCI Chester

It was the first day of co-teaching a course on entrepreneurship at SCI Chester, and I didn’t feel quite ready...
“Education in prison allowed me to regain my humanity and gave me hope for my future. It helped change my trajectory. ”

David Garlock, '17

In the News: Eastern's PEP program and leaders were recently featured in this article by U.S. News & World Report.

More Information