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Sept 14, 2026

Demetrice “DC” Crite's proposal was accepted by the Incarcerated Scholars Conference, an initiative of the Alliance for Higher Education in Prison. His paper concerns EJP’s Law School Admissions Test study group at Danville Correctional Center, which he helps to facilitate. The virtual conference is scheduled for October 2026.

Scholars at Danville

Sometimes when people learn that I direct a higher education in prison program, I'm told something like, "That's fantastic! Literacy is so important."

They're absolutely correct about the value of literacy, of course, and their intuition that illiteracy levels are higher among incarcerated populations is spot on. We'd all like to see more programs that support literacy and numeracy in prisons. EJP, however, is not such a program.

(Even as I write that, I want to note that EJP students who participate in our Language Partners program teach English as a Second Language to men in the general population and that many EJP students tutor literacy through other prison initiatives.)

EJP students are enrolled in undergraduate and graduate University of Illinois courses. Their classes are rigorous and challenging, the same as those offered on the Urbana-Champaign campus. I was delighted that, when I stopped by our Calculus 3 (MATH 241) classroom last week, I couldn't understand what was written on the board. That's OK; it's not important that I'm able to follow. What's important is that we live up to our mission of providing incarcerated individuals the means to pursue their intellectual interests at an appropriately high level so they can access the opportunities and advantages that follow from such education.

In addition to Calculus, EJP students this semester are enrolled in Creative Writing 463, "Show, Don't Tell"; English as an International Language 486, "Linguistics for English Teachers"; Psychology 501, "Best Psychology Research Practices"; Latino and Latina Studies 472, "Border Cultures"; and Music 411, "Blues and Folk Roots."

If you'd like to explore teaching a for-credit course at Danville, please attend one of our upcoming info sessions (see below for dates and times). Applications are due Nov 15 from instructions wishing to teach during the 2027-28 academic year.

For more information about the Oct 28-29 Incarcerated Scholars Conference, which is free to attend, please visit this link: https://www.higheredinprison.org/isc-2026.

Take Care,

Rebecca Ginsburg

EJP Director



Upcoming EJP Events

EJP Sept Lunch

Mon Sept 14 - today!

12- 1pm

Hybrid

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 want to attend today's lunch in person but didn't RSVP, feel free to just come by (1001 S. Wright St, Champaign, Room 216). There will be plenty of food.

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. 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.

EJP 101

Wed Sept 16

12 - 1pm

Via Zoom

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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

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 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.

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.

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. 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. 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.

For more on our upcoming activities, please download this flyer, which provides information about upcoming author talks, abolition discussion, Stigma to Solutions event, 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.