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.
The PEI coordinates and supports UW–Madison’s educational programs in seven Wisconsin state prisons and associated research.
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.
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.
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.
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.
June 11, 2026 in News Prison Education Initiative
UW and the DOC partner to award historic bachelor’s degrees to incarcerated learners, reducing recidivism and building a skilled workforce for Wisconsin.
September 2, 2025 in Division of Continuing Studies News Prison Education Initiative
The prison education program, involving UW-Madison and other UWs, provides degrees and skills training to boost the economy, reduce recidivism, and build brighter futures.
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