California’s Best Practices: Pathways From Prison to College
All people deserve the right to higher education in the pursuit of a better life for themselves, their families, and communities.
our approach
In 2021, the Michelson 20MM Foundation convened leading experts, advocates, and student leaders to form the Smart Justice Think Tank (SJTT) to establish the Best Practices. The detailed strategies identified are directly informed by the lived experiences of system-impacted scholars and their academic advisors/mentees.
Ensuring Access and Equity
Providing On-Campus Supports
Centering the Needs of Students
BEST PRACTICES
Guided by the belief that higher education can lead to a better quality of life for currently and formerly incarcerated students, their families, and entire communities, this resource lays out detailed strategies to support students across three key phases:
- Students currently incarcerated
- Students transitioning from prison to campus
- Students enrolled on campus who were previously incarcerated
Post-secondary prison education programs, correctional facilities, on-campus support programs, and higher education institutions all stand to benefit from adopting the strategies identified in this resource as a means to addressing the unique needs of currently and formerly incarcerated scholars.
Download a copy of California’s Best Practices: Pathways from Prison to College
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Smart Justice Think Tank?
Recognizing that higher education can lead to a better quality of life for currently and formerly incarcerated students, their families, and our communities, the Michelson 20MM Foundation, in partnership with Root and Rebound, convened the Smart Justice Think Tank (SJTT) to increase educational opportunities for current and formerly incarcerated Californians.
SJTT seeks to ensure that all people have an equal opportunity to succeed as students and individuals. It is a coalition of formerly incarcerated students, directly impacted leaders, faculty, staff, administrators, non-profit leaders, researchers, and supporters of higher education programs in prisons and on-campus support programs. As a collective, the SJTT understands the value of educational programs for those able to access college in prison or on-campus.
Why were these best practices created?
California is a nationwide leader in prison and on-campus support programs in postsecondary education. The goal of the SJTT was to develop a concise list of best practices that safeguard the unique needs of currently and formerly incarcerated students in California’s higher education system. It aims to address problems, gaps, and issues impacting their educational experience.
There is not enough educational, financial, and mental support for students in prison and transitioning out of prison. The best practices serve as an acknowledgment of the issues and an understanding of what needs to be d
Who should download these best practices?
We developed these recommendations for public and private post-secondary institutions and non-profit organizations serving incarcerated and formerly incarcerated students in California. We invite legislators, legislative staff, correctional officers, educational institutions (staff and faculty), organizations in this space, and researchers to download a copy.
What should you do with this information?
We hope that policy advocates and public policy organizations create a legislative agenda based on recommendations of the best practices.
Who provided these recommendations?
Formerly incarcerated leaders, organizations in this space, and educational staff and faculty helped develop these best practices. SJTT’s work is also informed by feedback from students who are currently incarcerated. We received first-hand information about what barriers exist and what feasible solutions are available.
Smart Justice Think Tank Members
Nohealani Casperson
Rising Scholars Network at Cypress College
Audrey Dow
Campaign for College Opportunity
Peter Fulks
Cerro Coso Community College
Steven Green
Project Rebound at California State University, Fullerton
Joe Louis Hernandez
Rising Scholars Network at Mount San Antonio College
Tyee Griffith
Claremont Colleges
Martin Leyva
Project Rebound at California State University, San Marcos
Taffany Lim
Center for Engagement, Service, and Public Good at California State University, Los Angeles
Kevin McCarthy
Berkeley Underground Scholars
Danny Murillo
Michelson 20MM Foundation
Wil Del Pilar
Education Trust
Romarilyn Ralston
Program Director, CSU Fullerton Project Rebound
Keramet Reiter
University of California, Irvine, Leveraging Inspiring Futures Through Educational Degrees (LIFTED)
Gabe J. Rosales
Underground Scholars at University of California, Irvine
Rebecca Silbert
Rising Scholars Network, Foundation for California Community Colleges
Gail Yen
Root and Rebound
Azadeh Zohrabi
JD, Berkeley Underground Scholars
Stay Engaged
For more information about our Smart Justice initiative please sign up for our newsletter below or reach out to Kenia Miranda Verdugo, Program Manager, kenia@20mm.org.
The Michelson 20MM Foundation is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy, and we’ll only use your personal information to administer your account and to provide the products and services you requested from us. From time to time, we would like to contact you about our services, initiatives, and other content that may be of interest to you.
You can unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For more information on how to unsubscribe, our privacy practices, and how we are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy.
By clicking submit below, you consent to allow the Michelson 20MM Foundation to store and process the personal information submitted above to provide you the content requested.
