Creating the Prison-to-College Pipeline

In July 2023, upwards of 500,000 incarcerated individuals will be able to take advantage of Pell Grants to enroll in college programs following the end of a 25-year ban. Earning a college degree can provide access to well-paying jobs and the ability to reintegrate into communities after leaving prison. Evidence suggests participants in college-in-prison programs are 48 percent less likely to return to prison. However, only 35 percent of state prisons provide college-level courses, and these programs only serve six percent of incarcerated individuals nationwide.  

In this session, panelists will explore the barriers to entry for prison education programs, how WGU is investing in this learner population, and why it is imperative that we educate incarcerated individuals for the betterment of society. We will also discuss how to take advantage of the new Pell program and address the unique challenges to delivering educational programs in correctional facilities.