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From prison to college: Consortium puts inmates in a positive ‘pipeline'

Morgan Hughes

September 15, 2018 |

The Boston Globe |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Boston, Massachusetts

Inmates who enroll in higher education programs during their sentence are 43 percent less likely to return to prison than their peers who don't, according to a study by the RAND Corporation. A consortium of Massachusetts colleges and state law enforcement agencies are taking action in light of this finding - 13 colleges will offer bachelor's degree programs to offenders either when they are in prison or once they have left.

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How 'the incarceration capital of America' embraced criminal justice reform

Frank Carlson William Brangham

August 31, 2018 |

PBS NewsHour |

Broadcast TV News |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, New Orleans, Louisiana

After years of being the incarceration capital of America, Louisiana began changing its laws in 2017 to cut the number of people in prison, prompting a drop of seven percent in the prison population and savings of $12 million. The funds will be reinvested in education, job training and other programs in prisons and jails for those about to be released. But many challenges remain, including stigma from employers and landlords, and skepticism by the state's attorney general.

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Restoring Ex-Convicts' Voting Rights

Nina Sparling

August 29, 2018 |

WhoWhatWhy |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

A digital tool called Restore Your Vote launched in the summer of 2018 to help ex-convicts understand their voting restoration status after re-integrating into society. The initiative, which has been piloted in Alabama, aims to reduce disenfranchisement in ex-convict communities by targeting unclear language, misinformation, and lack of access to education.

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The prison-to-college pipeline

Mel Jones

August 26, 2018 |

Washington Monthly |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New Jersey

The "New Jersey-STEP" program enables inmates and formerly incarcerated individuals to use Pell Grant dollars towards a degree at several in-state schools. Unlike most other prison-to-college initiatives, STEP allows students to transfer credits earned during incarceration. And it's also a plus for universities - schools like Rutgers are benefiting from more tuition dollars at a time when many are experiencing decreasing enrollments.

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How the Smallest State is Defeating America's Biggest Addiction Crisis

Erick Trickey

August 25, 2018 |

Politico |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Cranston, Rhode Island

Inmates at Rhode Island prisons are given the option to participate in a program that provides doses of methadone or other medication to help them break free of opioid addictions, even after leaving prison. The medically-assisted treatment is part of a comprehensive plan to fight opioid addiction in Rhode Island and it's showing results, with 61% fewer fatalities from overdose for recently incarcerated people from last year.

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Cameroon initiative helps young violent offenders become ‘prisonpreneurs,' peace builders

Barbara Borst

August 16, 2018 |

Civic Ideas |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Cameroon, Buea

To give young people in prison hope and a second chance, a new organization known as Creative Skills for Peace attempts to teach inmates about entrepreneurship and job training, as well as civic education and peacebuilding. Achaleke Christian Leke, the founder, hopes to create “prisonpreneurs.” Whether teaching them to make crafts or run greenhouses, Creative Skills for Peace is empowering inmates to empower others.

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At This Prison, Puppies and Inmates Give Each Other Purpose

Hallie Steiner

August 15, 2018 |

NationSwell |

Video |

Under 3 Minutes

Response Location: United States, New York

Bedford Hills Correctional Facility in upstate New York has implemented a program that pairs puppies with inmates, offering a sense of purpose for both the dog and human. The inmates are tasked with training the puppies to become service animals, which when complete, allows the dogs to go to emergency responders and veterans suffering from PTSD.

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Parenting From Prison, Inside Out

Lisa Bartfai R.J. Lozada Sylvia Ryerson

August 09, 2018 |

Making Contact |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Concord, New Hampshire

Two programs called FamilyWorks and the Storybook Program aim to improve the relationship between those who are incarcerated and their families. FamilyWorks conducts parenting classes and other education for inmates who may not know how to build a relationship with their children while in prison. Storybook offers inmates the chance to record themselves reading books to send along to their children. Inmates say that both programs taught them a lot and that they are better people for it.

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Philanthropic horticulturists and other prison community leaders

Anne Hillman

August 01, 2018 |

Alaska Public Media |

Multi-Media |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Seward, Alaska

At Spring Creek Correctional Center, profits from the prison store are shared among seven prison clubs. The clubs operate like nonprofits, bringing educational opportunities, music, plants, and more to inmates and donating extra funds to organizations on the outside. The system improves quality of life and offers leadership opportunities.

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North Dakota Prison Officials Think Outside The Box To Revamp Solitary Confinement

Cheryl Corley

July 31, 2018 |

NPR |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, North Dakota

Prison officials in North Dakota have revamped solitary confinement, inspired in part by Norway's system, which focuses on “punishment that works.” There is much less focus on using isolation to punish small infractions and more emphasis on mental health and helping inmates learn new skills to change behavior. The shift has reduced tensions between guards and prisoners, fostering better relationships and less disruptive behavior and suicide attempts by inmates.

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