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Aug 24, 2026

EJP alumnus Cragg "CR" Hardaway (above and below) passed away earlier this month. Cragg was an EJP student between 2010 and 2020, when he was released from Danville Correctional Center. He died in Chicago, due to a heart condition. We extend our sincere sympathies to his friends and loved ones. 

Fall Semester Begins Today!

Cragg was one of the most involved and engaged EJP students ever. He was involved in for-credit courses, CAVE, Productive Prison Landscapes, and student committees. He remained in touch after his release in January 2020 and contributed to EJP, as to his community, in various ways. He will be deeply missed. 

***

Fall EJP classes at the prison start tonight. Among the six courses we’re offering this fall are a “blended course,” in which students from the Urbana Champaign campus will be co-enrolled in a creative writing course alongside EJP students, and a graduate course on research methods. The course that was most popular among students who registered for this fall was an upper-division musicology course called “Blues and Folk” taught by long time EJP member Kelli McQueen.

Interested to learn more? We are hosting an open house at Danville Correctional Center the afternoon of Thursday October 15th. RSVP forms, which provide more information about the open house, are due September 13th 2026:

https://educationjustice.jotform.com/260706498389069

Best wishes for the start of everyone's semester.

Take Care,

Rebecca Ginsburg

EJP Director

Upcoming EJP Events

Becoming a Center Update

Thursday Aug 27
4 - 5pm Central
Hybrid

We hold monthly updates on the progress we are making towards becoming a center at UIUC. It's been a long journey and becoming a center (as opposed to a research project) has many implications.

Future updates are scheduled for:

Thurs Sept 29, 5 - 6pm

Tues Oct 13, 12 - 1pm

You're welcome to share your questions on the RSVP form so we can be sure to address them at the meeting.

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

EJP Friends & Family Picnic

Saturday August 29

12 - until early evening

In Person

The deadline for RSVP'ing has passed, but we have 2 important announcements for individuals who plan to attend.

In consideration of the fact that many EJPers plan to attend the 10am service for Cragg Hardaway that day, we are softening the ending time of the event. Please feel free to show up whenever is convenient. We'll be happy to see you when you arrive.

Second, several people are still in need of rides to the event from Champaign-Urbana. If you are able to provide a ride, please visit this form. Your help is much appreciated!

https://app.caroster.io/e/244a8bb7-a086-46f4-9edd-0d2fd45cce3c/ 

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

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!

The second EJP 101 will be Wed Sept 16 from 12 - 1. You can sign up for either one 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, you're welcome to attend one of our upcoming Information Sessions in October and November. (RSVP's coming!)

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. 

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

Please note that the next alumni discussion, on Monday Oct 12, 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.

Of Interest

Within EJP, we insist that students who are incarcerated should receive the same a standard of instruction as students on the outside, and that instructors should approach teaching within prison as they would approach their courses on the University of Illinois campus. 

However, it's more complicated than that. 



A recent set of articles from California makes clear the tensions and constraints that form part of the enterprise of higher education in prison. Both are worth close reading and thoughtful consideration.

"The Man Who Wants Back into San Quentin," by William Harris, FIRE

Bill Smoot taught at San Quentin for many years. Then he wrote a novel set in a prison. It cost him his classroom.

"Letter from the President: Reflections on Academic Freedom in Prison," by Jody Lewen and Amy Jamgochian.

Administrators at the San Quentin college, Mt Tamalpais, reflect on the contours of academic freedom within prison.

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.