2023 Education Philanthropy Report

Strengthening the Field’s Capacity to Serve Incarcerated Learners

OPPORTUNITY: The reinstatement of Pell Grant eligibility for incarcerated learners has opened the door to more equitable access to postsecondary education in prisons.

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT: High-quality postsecondary education in prison creates opportunities for lifetime autonomy and success.

  • Of the nearly 2 million people currently incarcerated in the U.S., more than 600,000 re-enter society each year, seeking skills and employment (Source: National Institute of Justice).
  • In building the field’s capacity to serve these learners better, we’re considering how to increase access to high-quality postsecondary education in prison and how to link those programs to post-release education and employment.

According to the Prison Policy Initiative, the U.S. spends about $182 billion annually to incarcerate nearly 1% of its adult population. Historically, however, few resources go toward providing incarcerated individuals with access to high-quality postsecondary education. This is where philanthropy plays a crucial role.

July 2023 marked a turning point as the U.S. lifted its 26-year ban on Pell Grants for incarcerated learners. After many years preparing the field for this moment, Ascendium and its partners dedicated much of 2023 to exploring avenues to use new funding effectively.

Building Capacity and Sustainability

Strengthening postsecondary education in prison involves reinforcing existing initiatives and fostering the emergence of new leaders and facilitators to advance the field. The Alliance for Higher Education in Prison is actively expanding its capacity to serve as a national resource and support center for postsecondary education in prison programs. This collaborative network will act as a convener and ensure that all stakeholders can engage in ongoing discussions on enhancing the quality and accessibility of postsecondary education in prison.

Strengthening Partnerships

Unlocking the potential of Pell Grant restoration requires forming strong partnerships to address the unique challenges of administering college programs behind bars. One such challenge involves facilitating the completion of a paper Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), a process distinct from the online application commonly used by non-incarcerated students. The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators provides critical technical assistance to financial aid officers and directors of postsecondary education in prison programs.

Our intermediary grant partner, Jobs for the Future, supports 22 state systems and colleges through the Ready for Pell initiative. Participants receive financial and technical support toward enhancing postsecondary education in prison programs and building the capacity to leverage Pell Grants for eligible students. Together, these collaborative efforts seek to remove barriers and maximize the positive impact of Pell Grant restoration for incarcerated learners.

Paving the Path to Meaningful Employment Post-Release

Incarcerated learners’ success post-release depends upon the support they receive to gain a foothold in the workforce, including ensuring that the skills they gain while incarcerated apply to good jobs. That’s why we support the LaunchCode Foundation’s Unlocked Labs initiative, which empowers incarcerated learners with essential computer programming skills and facilitates their placement into technology-related jobs upon release. We're eager to learn from models like LaunchCode that offer incarcerated learners a real chance for upward mobility and sustained employment.

RELATED STORIES

Strengthening postsecondary education in prison involves reinforcing existing initiatives and fostering the emergence of new leaders and facilitators to advance the field.