Prison Education Initiative
The UW–Madison Prison Education Initiative (PEI), led by the Division of Continuing Studies, gives learners who are incarcerated in Wisconsin state prisons the opportunity to reframe their futures through higher education.
Students who take college courses while in prison are more likely to be successful when they return to our communities and less likely to return to prison.
What does the Prison Education Initiative do?
The PEI coordinates and supports UW–Madison’s educational programs in seven Wisconsin state prisons and associated research.
UW degree and certificate programs
The PEI connects efforts across UW–Madison and Universities of Wisconsin to create collaborative UW degree and certificate programs, supported by grants from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and the Ascendium Education Group.
College preparation and college jump-start courses
Odyssey Beyond Bars (OBB) has offered English 100 as a college jump-start course to students in Wisconsin prisons since 2019. UW–Madison also offers noncredit enrichment courses through OBB and the Wisconsin Prison Humanities Project, encouraging and preparing students to pursue higher education.
Student and alumni wraparound support
The Prison Education Initiative offers wraparound support to students before, during and after their enrollment in UW–Madison courses. This support includes tutoring and academic and career advising to help students on their individual paths to success.
Research
Researchers in the School of Education and School of Medicine and Public Health, supported by the PEI, are measuring the impacts of prison-based education. The data they collect are helping the Prison Education Initiative expand and improve educational opportunities for our students in prison.
The Prison Education Initiative organizes state-wide efforts to improve access to higher education.
Partnering Correctional Facilities
PEI-supported programming is currently offered at Columbia Correctional Institution, Green Bay Correctional Institution, Oakhill Correctional Institution, Oshkosh Correctional Institution, Racine Correctional Institution, Stanley Correctional Institution, and Taycheedah Correctional Institution. The PEI does not offer correspondence courses or online coursework at other institutions.
Partnering Universities
Students enroll in various associate and Bachelor degree programs—as well as individual jumpstart courses—delivered by UW-Eau Claire, UW-Green Bay, UW-Madison, and UW-Stout.
What makes the Prison Education Initiative unique in Wisconsin?
Robust, in-person student support
In addition to in-person instruction, the PEI provides a broad spectrum of academic assistance to students, face-to-face inside the prisons. Supports include tutoring, financial aid and academic advising, one-on-one mentoring, reentry planning to help students prepare for transition back into the community and alumni support after students return home. This robust wraparound support is inspired by the whole-student approach of the UW Odyssey Project, which has helped adult students living in poverty transform their lives through higher education since 2003.
A learning community
The Prison Education Initiative programs surround students with positive peers, advisors and role models. Together, students help each other uncover their potential and transcend negative patterns and influences. The result is a growing body of students who see themselves as productive, healthy citizens with hope for the future.
Research to improve our work
The PEI supports needed and important research on pedagogical approaches and learning outcomes as well as the impacts of college education on the mental health of incarcerated learners. This research will help UW–Madison and other colleges offer more effective programs in the prisons.
Why higher education in prison?
- Education in prison breaks cycles of crime and reincarceration. Almost all people in prison will eventually return to their communities. Participation in prison-based education reduces the risk that a student will commit new crimes and return to prison by about 40 percent, helping to stabilize individuals and families, prevent cycles of crime and create safer communities.
- Prison education increases the odds of employment after people leave prison, contributing to the economy and helping employers fill workforce gaps. PEI programs take into account employer demand for specific workplace skills.
- Studies show people in prison want educational programs. The PEI provides a supportive, education-focused community to help learners thrive.
- Prison education saves taxpayer money. It costs approximately $45,000 to incarcerate someone for a year in Wisconsin. The RAND research institutefound that every $1 spent on prison education saves $4-5 in reincarceration costs.
- Prison-based education reflects the Wisconsin Idea that the university should address the needs of the state and benefit all Wisconsin residents.
Support higher education in prison
The UW–Madison Prison Education Initiative (PEI) Fund supports the expansion of college courses and degree programs in Wisconsin prisons, providing incarcerated learners the opportunity to reframe their futures through higher education. Donate today to support motivated learners throughout the state.
Staff
Gunce Derin
Program Coordinator, Prison Education Initiative
Mia Greene
Academic & Career Services Manager, Prison Education Initiative
Adam MacKay
Site Coordinator, Prison Education Initiative
Bryn Martyna
Operations Director, Prison Education Initiative
Peter Moreno
Director, Prison Education Initiative
Rachel Ritacco
Odyssey Beyond Bars Program Coordinator
Kelsie Rosemeyer
Site Coordinator, Prison Education Initiative
Kyle Walsh
Site Coordinator, Prison Education Initiative
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