Unlocking Potential: Pathways from Prison to Postsecondary Education Project. Slide 1

Transcription

1 Unlocking Potential: Pathways from Prison to Postsecondary Education Project Slide 1

2 Through Postsecondary Education Build Communities. Strengthen Families. TRANSFORM LIVES. Slide 2

3 The Context The US prison population is more than 2.2 million. Each year more than 700,000 people are released from our nation s prisons. Within 3 years of release, 44 % will have committed new crimes or violated their release terms and be re-incarcerated. A recent RAND study shows that providing education to prisoners can decrease the likelihood they will return to prison by 43%. The US Census Bureau reports the difference in median earnings between people with a high school diploma and those with an associate s degree is $8,261. It s $22,884 for those with a bachelor s degree. It is estimated that by 2020, nearly two thirds of all job postings will require applicants to have some level of postsecondary education. Increasing the educational attainment of parents can impact the education achievement of their children. Slide 3

4 Overview The PATHWAYS PROJECT is a five-year national initiative that provides agencies in NEW JERSEY, NORTH CAROLINA, and MICHIGAN with funding and technical assistance to expand access to higher education and supportive reentry services for people in prison and those recently released. Slide 4

5 How does providing postsecondary education and related support services to individuals who are incarcerated affect their lives and outcomes during and after prison? THE QUESTION Slide 5

6 Initiative Goals Increase postsecondary education attainment among the incarcerated and formerly incarcerated population. Increase employability and earnings among formerly incarcerated people Reduce recidivism and the likelihood that individuals will return to prison Improve the quality of life in neighborhoods disproportionately affected by crime and incarceration. Slide 6

7 Building Blocks Extensive background research RFP released at least $1 million available to selected states Six states invited Colorado, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Washington. New Jersey pre-selected Selection Criteria: (1) Commitment of executive, legislative, corrections, education and reentry service provider stakeholders (2) Prison-to-community continuum of education and support services with focus on student success and credential attainment (3) 25% match and commitment to sustainability and replication Slide 7

8 Who is involved? New Jersey Lead Agency: NJ- STEP/Rutgers University 6 prisons, 7 colleges and universities North Carolina Lead Agency: North Carolina Department of Public Safety 6 prisons, 6 community colleges Michigan Lead Agency: Michigan Department of Corrections 2 prisons, 2 colleges Slide 8

9 NEW JERSEY Project Start Date: January 2013 Project Features Lead Agency: NJ- STEP/Rutgers University Prisons (6): Albert C Wagner Youth Correctional Facility, Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women, Mountainview Youth Correctional Facility, Garden State Youth Correctional Facility, East Jersey State Prison, Northern State Prison. Colleges/Universities (7): Drew University, Princeton University, and Rutgers University (Newark, New Brunswick, and Camden campuses); The College of New Jersey; Mercer County Community College, Essex County Community College, and Raritan Valley Community College. These institutions form the New Jersey Scholarship and Transformative Education in Prisons Consortium (NJ-STEP). Slide 9

10 NORTH CAROLINA Project Start Date: July 2013 Project Features Lead Agency: North Carolina Department of Public Safety Prisons (6): Swannanoa Correctional Center for Women, Buncombe Correctional Center, Avery Mitchell Correctional Institution, Mountain View Correctional Institution, Albemarle Correctional Institution, and Pamlico Correctional Institution. Community Colleges (6): Asheville-Buncombe Technical, Stanly, Pamlico, Pitt, Mayland, and Central Piedmont. Pilot Communities (3): Greenville (Pitt County), Charlotte (Mecklenburg County), and Asheville (Buncombe County). Slide 10

11 MICHIGAN Project Start Date: July 2013 Project Features Lead Agency: Michigan Department of Corrections Prisons (2): Macomb Correctional Facility and Parnall Correctional Facility. Colleges and Community Colleges (2): Jackson College, and Kalamazoo Valley Community College Pilot Communities (2): Pontiac and Kalamazoo Slide 11

12 What does the project entail? Pathways students are provided access to college classes while in prison through partnerships with local colleges. Students are given reentry support and services with the goal that they continue to pursue their education post-release and work towards a postsecondary degree or credential. Slide 12

13 Project Timeframe Note: This pilot focus graphic refers to Michigan and North Carolina; New Jersey s only time-to-release criteria is adequate in-prison time remaining to complete a full semester. We will follow and track program participations from when they they first enter the program up until project end date. Project End Dates: New Jersey: December 31, 2016 Michigan & North Carolina: June 30, 2017 Slide 13

14 Core Components In-prison and post-release postsecondary education provided by accredited local colleges and universities. Transfer of college credits from prison to colleges in the community. Comprehensive and coordinated in-prison and community-based case planning. Use of technology solutions for in-prison academic services. Mentoring, tutoring, reentry support services Partnerships with employers post-release Vocational, developmental, GED, and college readiness courses and academic support services. Supportive parole supervision practices National project advisory board that includes leaders in corrections, higher education, philanthropy, workforce development, and reentry services. Slide 14

15 Impacts of Postsecondary Education Re-arrests and re-incarceration Employability and earnings Educational achievements of children Civic engagement and participation Slide 15

16 Cost Benefit Analysis/ Evaluation Vera s Cost Benefit Analysis Unit will conduct a costbenefit analysis of the project. RAND Corporation, in partnership with RTI will lead the project evaluation. Variables that will be measured include: IMPLEMENTATION (replicability and scale) OUTCOMES (postsecondary enrollment and persistence, credential attainment, employment) IMPACT (recidivism) Slide 16

17 Imagine the Possibilities We want to build an evidence-based case for providing access to post secondary education to people in prison that creates momentum for systems change and spurs national replication and long-term public investment. leading to a more EQUITABLE and JUST society. Slide 17

18 Project Partners Funders: Gates, Open Society, Kellogg, Ford, and Sunshine Lady foundations State Correctional Departments and State Lead Agencies Participating Colleges and University Parole/Community Supervision Agencies Reentry Services Providers Local Business Communities in each state Executive and Legislative Branch Officials Evaluation Team: RAND Corporation/ RTI International Slide 18

19 Vera s Role: National Intermediary Convene and co-facilitate implementation meetings Organize and staff a national leadership group Grant Administration and Management Technical Assistance Bridge between site teams and evaluation team Site visits to project prisons and communities Develop metrics to measure performance Monitor implementation progress Create and foster learning community Slide 19

20 Special Thanks to: Slide 20