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Aug 31, 2026

EJP's annual Friends & Family Picnic, held on Saturday, was a great way to start the new year! Thanks to everyone who attended, just a portion of whom are pictured above, and the EJP's Advisory Council's special events committee, chaired by Greg Jahiel, for organizing! More photos here.

Fall Semester Begins Today!

When individuals apply to join EJP, we explain that community is important to us.

Indeed, we say, they are applying not only for a distinct role within our organization--e.g. tutor or data steward--but also to join a rich and diverse network of people for whom connection and support are vital. Read this one-pager to learn how we came to call this network the "EJP universe," thanks to EJP alumni Edmund Buck.

The EJP universe was on beautiful display over the weekend at our annual picnic, just outside Kankakee. I'm grateful to everyone who took time to support the event.

Our work is hard. Prisons are harsh and violent places. The trauma of incarceration can last a lifetime. Spending time in a prison as an instructor can itself be traumatic. When we come together around food and fellowship, we strengthen the bonds make it possible for us as individuals, and EJP as a unit, to continue to engage in higher education in prison and the many activities and initiatives that flow from that.

We plan to hold social and educational events throughout the year. All are welcome, as we continue to build and fortify the universe that makes EJP's successes possible.

Take Care,

Rebecca Ginsburg

EJP Director

Upcoming EJP Events

EJP 101

Fri Sept 4

4 -5 pm

Via Zoom

We have two EJP 101's scheduled for the fall. Please plan to attend one if you are new to EJP.

Long-time members are also welcome to attend!

Friday Sept 4, 4 - 5pm

Wed Sept 16, 12 - 1pm

You can sign up for both via the link below.

EJP 101 is limited to current or incoming EJPers. If you're interested in learning more about the Education Justice Project and how to get involved, you're welcome to attend one of our upcoming Information Sessions in October and November (see below!).

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

EJP Sept Lunch

Mon Sept 14

12- 1pm

Hybrid

We hold lunches monthly for EJP members, friends, allies, and individuals wanting to learn more about our work. Some lunches have themes; others do not.

In all cases, EJP provides lunch, though guests are always welcome to bring their own.

Lunches start at noon, but online guests are advised that conversation typically doesn't begin until 12:10, as it takes a few minutes for those in person to serve themselves and get settled.

Please RSVP for any of the fall lunches via the RSVP link below.

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

Alumni Discussion

Tuesday Sept 15

5 - 6 pm Central

via Zoom

Our first alumni discussion of the fall semester will be on September 15 and feature alumni of the Education Justice Project in conversation with each other and audience members about incarceration and reentry.

At this event we'll welcome our newest alumni fellow, Raylan Gilford, above!

These events provide sensitive and critical insight into the range of prison and reentry experiences. All are welcome to attend. Bring your questions, or simply listen and learn. 

(EJP interns are required to attend at least one discussion a semester.)

Please note that the Oct 12 alumni discussion is reserved for members of EJP's college-in-college program.

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

EJP Town Hall

Thursday Sept 24

4:30 - 6pm Central

Hybrid

EJP hosts two town halls each year, providing opportunity for EJP members and interested others to discuss and learn about 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 your 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.

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

EJP Accepting Applications

Deadline: Nov 15

Zoom Info Sessions: Oct 1, Oct 27, Nov 11

We're accepting applications until November 15, 2026 from individuals interested in contributing to EJP's college-in-prison program at Danville Correctional Center, our Prison to Gown Pathway, and Policy & Research team in Spring 2027.

For those interested in teaching a for-credit course at the prison, we are recruiting for instructors for the 2027-28 academic year. For-credit instructors are compensated; other positions are not.

You can learn more from the flyer below, which provides detailed information about upcoming EJP info tables and information sessions held via Zoom. Please RSVP for he info sessions in advance.

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

10am - 12pm

In Person: Later Hall, University YMCA

The Education Justice Project and the Restorative Justice Initiative (RJI) at The Pennsylvania State University are cosponsoring a Reentry Simulation and Panel Discussion. 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 this free event. Registration is required.

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

Of Interest

"Dignity Defied: Legal-Rational Myths and the Surplus Legitimacy the Carceral State"

Jonathan Simon, author of Mass Incarceration on Trial, has published an article about the particularly American myths (i.e. taken-for granted beliefs) about imprisonment that may help explain why the US has such a high incarceration rate, out of step with that of peer nations. They include the myth that punishment reforms the idle and that it manages racial threat.

The paper is not publicly available online, but you can read a synopsis at the University of Toronto's Criminological Highlights, August 2026 edition.

"A Prison on Fire"

There's been a lot in the press about the fires that men incarcerated at Joliet Treatment Center set in order to draw attention to their complaints about conditions there. Some individuals even set themselves on fire.

The Marshall Project's coverage is among the best.

Their first story broke the story earlier this summer and the second, from a few weeks ago, considers three take-aways from their investigation.

"The Top Pet in this Prison Is a Special Kind of Spider"

Eugene Landers, an incarcerated journalist in Florida, relates his relationship with a spider he captured in his cell. He called him Rambo, and the latter came to recognize him on sight and take food from his fingertips, "like a puppy or kitten."

It's a short and moving story, produced by the Prison Journalism Project.

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.