Nationwide, the odds of re-entering prison are 48 percent lower for those who enter post-secondary education programs, according to the RAND Corporation’s analysis. Approximately 55,000 incarcerated students in California are participating in an educational program at any given time; however, despite state policy and programmatic attempts, California holds an incarceration rate of 549 per 100,000 people (including prisons, jails, immigration detention, and juvenile justice facilities). In other words, California imprisons a higher percentage of its people than almost any democracy in the world. Post-release, incarcerated students’ success is society’s success. Knowing that education is key, how can we best support those inside prisons so that they will be prepared for release?
The Smart Justice Think Tank convened higher education stakeholders, policy experts, and directly impacted leaders to develop California’s Best Practices: Pathways From Prison to College, a set of detailed strategies that stakeholders can implement to support students across three key phases of the carceral impacted student experience. The webinar will specifically discuss the Best Practices for Students Inside Prisons, including:
-How to ensure the correct faculty (admin and professors) are being hired and are adequate for the environment.
-How to create an environment where evaluations are transparent and there is no fear of retaliation by students.
-Ways to access and resources within prison
-Transferring to different prisons within CDCR and ensuring students remain on track for their educational goals post-transfer
Join the Michelson 20MM Foundation on November 9th to learn more!
Moderated by:
Kenia Miranda Verdugo, Michelson 20MM Foundation, Program Manager
Danny Murillo, Michelson 20MM Foundation, Smart Justice Fellow
Speakers include:
College of the Redwoods Pelican Bay Scholars Students
Peter Fulks, Cerro Coso Community College, Prison Faculty Lead
Tyee Griffith, Claremont Colleges, Justice Education Manager
Kevin McCarthy, Underground Scholars UC Berkeley, Incarcerated Scholars Program Coordinator
Michelson 20MM is a private, nonprofit foundation seeking to accelerate progress towards a more just world through grantmaking, operating programs, and impact investing. Co-chaired and funded by Alya and Gary Michelson, Michelson 20MM is part of the Michelson Philanthropies network of foundations.
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