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Sept 21, 2026

Brian Daniels, an EJP alumnus (R), in Chicago last month, with EJP director Rebecca Ginsburg.

Scholars at Danville

I was thrilled to bump into Brian Daniels at a Chicago Metra station last month. Although we'd been in touch via email, I hadn't seen him since he was released from prison in 2022. Brian had been part of EJP for 3 years, and it was good to catch up with him.

Mostly, we discussed his case. EJP students typically don't discuss their legal cases with us at Danville Correctional Center, and of course we don't ask. So it was revelatory to learn that Brian had spent 40 years (since 1982) incarcerated on a wrongful conviction. He was released due to his own diligence (he's a paralegal) and the extraordinary efforts of the Northwestern Pritzker Law School's Center on Wrongful Convictions.

I was familiar with the Center, as they've supported other EJP students' innocence claims. Current estimates hold that 5 - 6% of Individuals held in state prison were wrongfully convicted. My personal experience suggests that figure's low, but of course it's impossible to know. Wrongful convictions are a cause everyone can get behind; no one wants innocent people behind bars. (Even as I write that, though, I wonder whether it's true. I only hope that it is.)

Chrissy Ferree, director of EJP's Prison to Gown Pathway, worked for many years at UIS' Innocence Project and will host the November EJP lunch with a talk on "Innocence 101." Come learn how innocence claims work and what people who find themselves wrongfully incarcerated can do to secure their freedom. Spoiler alert: not much.

Wrongful Conviction Day is Oct 2. Here's to many more releases!

Take Care,

Rebecca Ginsburg

EJP Director





Upcoming EJP Events

EJP Town Hall

Thursday Sept 24

4:30 - 6pm

Hybri

EJP hosts two town halls each year, providing opportunity for EJP members and interested others to discuss matters related to EJP administration and governance. Topics covered typically include staffing, facilities, status of contracts and MOUs, funding, and the like.

The RSVP link, below, invites you to pose questions in advance so we can be sure to have answers and data ready for you.

We'll post an agenda in advance of the meeting. You'll receive a Zoom link after RSVPing, or join in person at 1001 S. Wright St, Champaign, Room 216.

If you have any questions or concerns, or need any accommodations to fully participate, please reach out to events@educationjustice.net.

EJP Becoming a Center

Tuesday Sept 29

5 - 6pm Central

Via Zoom

EJP hosts two town halls each year, providing opportunity for EJP members and interested others to discuss matters related to EJP administration and governance. Topics covered typically include staffing, facilities, status of contracts and MOUs, funding, and the like.

The RSVP link, below, invites you to pose questions in advance so we can be sure to have answers and data ready for you.

We'll post an agenda in advance of the meeting. You'll receive a Zoom link after RSVPing, or join in person at 1001 S. Wright St, Champaign, Room 216.

If you have any questions or concerns, or need any accommodations to fully participate, please reach out to events@educationjustice.net.

EJP Info Sessions

Oct 1, Oct 27, Nov 11

We're hosting a series of info sessions this fall for those wanting to learn more about opportunities with EJP in 2027.

EJP is accepting applications until November 15, 2026 from individuals who wish to be part of EJP's college-in-prison program at Danville Correctional Center, our Prison to Gown Pathway, and Policy & Research team.

For-credit instructors are compensated; other positions are not. Prison clearance is not required for Prison to Gown or Policy & Research.

You can learn more from the flyer below, which provides detailed information about upcoming EJP info tables and information sessions held via Zoom. We request that individuals RSVP for the info sessions.

Thurs Oct 1, 4 - 5

Tues Oct 27, 12 - 1

Wed Nov 11, 12 - 1

You don't have to stay the entire hour. These are "drop in" sessions.

If you have any questions or concerns, or need any accommodations to fully participate, please reach out to events@educationjustice.net.

RIPPLE Effect

Tuesday Oct 6

5:30 - 7pm

Bethel AME Church

401 E. Park St, Champaign

RIPPLE stands for "Reaching Into Prisons with Purpose and Love." It's an event EJP holds regularly to support those of us who have loved ones in prison or jail. We gather to write cards of encouragement to individuals from Champaign county who are behind bars. All supplies are provided, including cards, recipient lists, and helpful suggestions for appropriate messages. Please note this is not a penpal service.

If you know someone who'd appreciate hearing from RIPPLE, please send their contact information to info@educationjustice.net.

If you'd like to attend this family-friend event (pizza served), please RSVP below.

If you have any questions or concerns, or need any accommodations to fully participate, please reach out to events@educationjustice.net.

Friday Forum - Stan Andrisse

Friday Oct 9

12 - 1pm

Campus YMCA

1001 S. Wright St, Champaign

EJP's Prison to Gown Pathway program is co-hosting the Campus YMCA's Oct. 9 Friday Forum! Guest speaker Stanley Andrisse, a faculty member at Howard University School of Medicine and Georgetown Medical Center, will share about his journey from incarceration to scientist and why pathways to higher education are so important.

Stan Andrisse is the founder of From Prison Cells to PhD, a non-profit that seeks to change the lives of individuals with criminal convictions through mentoring and advocacy. He's the author of a memoir by the same name and a 2025 anthology, Breaking Chains, Building Futures. A limited number of copies of that book will be available to EJP members in advance, or available for purchase at the event.

Like All Friday Forum events, the talk is free and lunch will be provided by the YMCA from Y Thai. No RSVP required.

If you have any questions or concerns, or need any accommodations to fully participate, please reach out to events@educationjustice.net.

Reentry Simulation

Sat Oct 10 (please arrive by 9:45am)

10am - 12pm

Lazter Hall, University YMCA 

EJP and multiple co-sponsors are hosting a Reentry Simulation and Panel Discussion on campus!

This interactive learning experience explores the systems, policies, and institutions that shape the reentry process following incarceration. Through a guided simulation and facilitated discussion, participants will examine how multiple systems can intersect to create challenges during the first 90 days after release.

All welcome to participate in this free event. Registration required.

If you have any questions or concerns, or need any accommodations to fully participate, please reach out to events@educationjustice.net.

Alumni Discussion

Monday Oct 12

5 - 6 pm

Via Zoom

Our next alumni discussion is intended for individuals who work with or have interest in working with our college-in-prison program at Danville Correctional Center.

Alumni discussions provide sensitive and critical insight into the range of prison and reentry experiences. In a panel format, alumni respond to questions, so feel free to bring your queries about incarceration, EJP's program at DCC, and reentry.

Alumni Fellow Spankey Davis, above, will be part of the panel.

You can RSVP for the Oct 12 discussion and future ones via the RSVP link below.

Upcoming dates:

Monday Nov 30, 5 - 6pm

Tuesday Dec 8, 5 - 6pm

If you have any questions or concerns, or need any accommodations to fully participate, please reach out to events@educationjustice.net.

Stigma to Solutions

Thursday Oct 22

4-6pm

In person

For decades, mandatory registration laws have been a major source of confusion and stigma towards people who have been charged with sexually-based offenses. EJP continues to invite guest speakers as well as other impacted individuals to discuss this subject.

We are honored to feature Paul Rothschild at our Oct 22 event. Paul's presentation will draw on his lived experience with incarceration, supervision, registration, and permanent punishment, along with his work building directly impacted leadership and statewide policy campaigns through the End Permanent Punishments campaign, at ENDPP.ORG. 

We'll serve light supper (baked potato bar) at the event. All are welcome.

If you have any questions or concerns, or need any accommodations to fully participate, please reach out to events@educationjustice.net.

For more on our upcoming activities, please download this flyer, which provides information about upcoming author talks, abolition discussion, and more coming this fall!

Paid Positions with EJP

Some EJP positions can be held virtually, some are hybrid, and some (those based at Danville Prison) require that an individual be able to regularly visit the prison. Our preference is always to hire local individuals and we especially seek candidates who have personal experience of incarceration. Click on the links below to see complete job descriptions. Most positions based at the prison are part-time.