New Data Available on Higher Education in Prison in Illinois | | | |
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The Illinois Department of Corrections released its 2026 Higher Education Report on September 1. Access it here.
This is only the second annual report on higher education in prison that IDOC has released. It's mandated by the Higher Education in Prison Act of 2024, a piece of legislation that EJP's policy director, Ashton Klekamp, helped legislators to craft and to introduce. Requiring the state to collect data on higher education in prison was one of thirty-three recommendations submitted by the governor's 2022 Illinois Task Force on Higher Education in Prison, which was chaired by EJP alumnus Orlando Mayorga.
Among the highlights of the 2026 report:
- Enrollment in higher education in Illinois reduced slightly (4%) from the previous year;
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The number of incarcerated individuals on waiting lists, hoping to enroll in higher education, increased dramatically (81%);
(By the way, EJP does not have a wait list. To date we have been able to admit all eligible students who apply. Our most recent cohort of 30 was our largest.)
- There were 2,632 individuals reported enrolled in higher education in the 2025-26 academic year. However, we believe that number is inflated, as some students enrolled in more than one program (e.g. Eastern Illinois and EJP) and were likely double counted. The actual number is probably closer to 2,600.
Ashton will be providing analysis of the report and of trends in prison higher education in Illinois at our September lunch on September 14. This will be a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the evolving landscape of college-in-prison in Illinois and reflect on recent trends and how EJP can respond to them. You can join virtually or in person. Hope to see you there!
Take Care,
Rebecca Ginsburg
EJP Director
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EJP Sept Lunch
Mon Sept 14
12- 1pm
Hybrid
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We hold lunches monthly for EJP members, friends, allies, and individuals wishing to learn more about our work.
Our September lunch features EJP Policy & Research Director Ashton Klekamp, who will discuss the recent state report on higher education in Illinois prisons.
In all cases, EJP provides lunch, though guests are always welcome to bring their own. On the 14th we'll have a sandwich buffet.
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.
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Alumni Discussion
Tuesday Sept 15
5 - 6 pm Central
via Zoom
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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. You can RSVP for all fall alumni discussions at 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.
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EJP 101
Wed Sept 16
12 - 1pm
Via Zoom
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This is the final EJP 101 scheduled for this fall. Please plan to attend if you are new to EJP. Long-time members are also welcome.
EJP 101 is limited to current or incoming EJPers. If you're not currently a member and 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 on Oct 1, Oct 27, or Nov 11 (see more info below).
If you have any questions or concerns, or need any accommodations to fully participate, please reach out to events@educationjustice.net.
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EJP Town Hall
Thursday Sept 24
4:30 - 6pm Central
Hybrid
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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.
If you have any questions or concerns, or need any accommodations to fully participate, please reach out to events@educationjustice.net.
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RIPPLE Effect
Tuesday Oct 6
5:30 - 7pm
Bethel AME Church
401 E. Park St, Champaign
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RIPPLE stands for "Reaching Into Prisons with Purpose and Love." It's an event EJP holds regularly to support our neighbors who have loved ones in prison or jail. We'll gather to write cards of encouragement to individuals from Champaign county who are behind bars. All supplies are provided, including cards and helpful suggestions for appropriate messages.
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.
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Friday Forum - Stan Andrisse
Friday Oct 9
12 - 1pm
Campus YMCA
1001 S. Wright St, Champaign
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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.
Like All Friday Forum events, the talk is free and lunch will be provided by the YMCA from Y Thai.
If you have any questions or concerns, or need any accommodations to fully participate, please reach out to events@educationjustice.net.
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Reentry Simulation
Sat Oct 10
10am - 12pm
In Person: Later Hall, University YMCA
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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 participate in 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.
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EJP Accepting Applications
Deadline: Nov 15
Zoom Info Sessions:
Oct 1, Oct 27, Nov 11
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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.
For those interested in teaching a for-credit course at the prison, we are recruiting 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. Please consider attending the open house at Danville Correctional Center on October 15 if you are thinking about applying to teach at the prison. The deadline for signing up is Sept. 13.
If you have any questions or concerns, or need any accommodations to fully participate, please reach out to events@educationjustice.net.
| | Below read news and updates from some other U.S. college-in-prison programs. | | |
Mt. Tamalpais College
Mt. Tamalpais, formerly the Prison University Project at San Quentin State Prison in California, is the only fully accredited independent, in-person college-in-prison in the U.S. Meet its seven 2026 graduates and watch speeches from the commencement ceremony in this recent post.
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Northwestern University Prison Education Program
"I'm an Incarcerated Writer. I Was Given Eleven Weeks to Create a Short Film."
Northwestern student Donnell Green shares his experiences in the "Stories in Motion" course he took while incarcerated at Sheridan Correctional Center, Illinois.
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Alliance for Higher Education in Prison
AHEP is the national organization supporting higher education in prison.It provides resources to current and emerging programs and advocates for governmental and institutional policies to advance the field.
View AHEP's national directory of higher education in prison programs, updated over the summer to reflect data from 2023-24. (We can see that it's already out of date for Illinois, as our state has fewer programs than those listed, something you can learn more about on Sept. 14!)
| | 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. |
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EDUCATION JUSTICE PROJECT
University of Illinois
1001 S. Wright St
Champaign, IL 61820
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| The mission of the Education Justice Project is to create a model college-in-prison program that demonstrates the positive impacts of higher education upon incarcerated people, their families, the neighborhoods from which they come, the host institution, and society as a whole. | | | | |
