Expanding Access to Postsecondary Education: Support for Second Chance Pell Sites

American recidivism rates are high. Over 55 percent of those released return to prison within five years. A growing body of research suggests that providing college education is a cost-effective way to improve reentry outcomes. The Vera Institute of Justice (Vera) proposes expanding access to postsecondary education by supporting the Second Chance Pell Grant Experiment. Vera will provide expert information and technical assistance to support the provision and expansion of postsecondary educational opportunities in prison and post-release to state departments of corrections, and to federal, state, and local policymakers. The goal of this project is to facilitate the implementation and scaling up of quality higher education programs in prisons by providing technical assistance and research support for sites selected for the Second Chance Pell Experiment as they implement in-prison postsecondary education programs and related post-release services.

NCA/NCF

The recipient will use the funds to assist the selected Second Chance Pell (SCP)sites in successfully implementing quality postsecondary education in correctional facilities through its Expanding Access to Postsecondary Education (EAPSE) project and based on its experience implementing quality college-in-prison programs in multiple jurisdictions. Project goals are to develop strong college-corrections partnerships in SCP sites that deliver high quality postsecondary education and provide reentry services that support credential attainment post-release; and to provide objective information on the impact of postsecondary education in prison to local and state policymakers, corrections and college leaders, business leaders, and reentry service providers. The recipient will accomplish these goals through the provision of targeted technical assistance (TA) and the dissemination of resources via the EAPSE knowledge bank and presentations at professional association meetings.

NCA/NCF