Expanding quality higher education for currently and formerly incarcerated people: committing to equity and protecting against exploitation

This report examines literature on access to and completion of higher education for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated college students, often referred to as justice or systems involved individuals, or individuals with prior criminal histories. Five challenges in need of urgent attention among higher education leaders and personnel, policymakers, and stakeholders are highlighted: (1) Too few non-profit regionally accredited institutions provide credit-bearing and transferrable postsecondary courses inside prisons; (2) Considering the primary desired outcome of higher education in prison recidivism reduction undermines educational equity; (3) Through the use of prior criminal history screening questions, colleges and universities discriminate against applicants with prior criminal histories; (4) Federal student aid restrictions and lack of federal and state funding supports are significant barriers in accessing and broadening participation in quality higher education for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people; and (5) Contemporary practices in higher education regarding currently and formerly incarcerated people exacerbate systemic inequality and hinder equity efforts. The report concludes with implications for policy, practice, and research, and provides recommendations to support the establishment and completion of meaningful and rigorous postsecondary pathways for currently and formerly incarcerated people.

Edited excerpts from publisher's website and publication. Show less