Updates on the Illinois Higher Education in Prison
Task Force and the Freedom to Learn Campaign
August 4, 2022
The Freedom to Learn (FTL) Campaign celebrates the conclusion and hard work of the Illinois Higher Education in Prison Task Force. This Task Force is a huge milestone for FTL and our efforts to expand quality higher education in prison (HEP) programs throughout Illinois. We look forward to engaging the public, our legislators, and those directly impacted to envision and implement clear and fair policies that allow HEP programs to operate free from undue interference or interruption of their students’ academic and intellectual pursuits.
In April and July 2020, FTL presented research briefings to Rep. Carol Ammons on HEP policies and practices in Illinois and nationwide. This research revealed several states that were creating advisory boards, partnerships, and other entities to investigate HEP, as well as a need to better understand the barriers and opportunities for HEP in Illinois - motivating the creation of the Task Force.
Rep. Ammons worked closely with FTL members to draft House Joint Resolution (HJR) 27, the legislation that would create the Task Force. Following the introduction of this resolution, FTL members gave legislative testimony in support of its passage and creation of the Task Force. As FTL member Pablo Mendoza testified, “The task force could help to find a solution to a major hurdle for higher education in prison in Illinois - access…It took me 13 years to complete a 2 year degree. Should anyone have to fight so hard to better themselves?...This resolution seeks to make it possible for me to be the norm and not an anomaly.”
In October 2021, the 102nd Illinois General Assembly unanimously adopted HJR 27 and, shortly after, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators adopted the language of HJR 27 as national model legislation.
The Task Force began meeting in February 2022 to accomplish four objectives:
Obtain and analyze existing data on HEP in Illinois;
Identify data points that should be collected to allow for meaningful, statewide evaluation of HEP;
Assess HEP barriers and opportunities in Illinois and continuing higher education upon release; and
Recommend a legislative action plan to expand access to HEP in the state.
FTL was an active participant and supporter of the Task Force’s work. FTL members were represented on the Task Force and in public comments. Rebecca Ginsburg, current member and co-founder of FTL, served directly on the Task Force – bringing her expertise and years of experience as an educator and founder and director of the Education Justice Project at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Through written public comment, FTL submitted a joint letter with the Illinois Coalition for Higher Ed in Prison to the Task Force urging the Task Force to recommend a legislative action plan that protects the four core freedoms that FTL calls for: freedom to pursue higher education while in prison, freedom to study without interference, freedom from censorship, and freedom to continue education upon release.
FTL also encouraged public participation in the Task Force process. In February 2022, FTL created the IL HEP Task Force Rapid Response Group to provide timely information and updates to members of the public who were interested in following and engaging with the Task Force. FTL also created and maintained the IL HEP Task Force Google Drive, to compile Task Force-related resources in a publicly accessible format, including meeting agendas, minutes, expert presentations, public comments, and more. Beyond equipping community members with key information, FTL organized a public comments workshop to support those community members interested in providing public comment.
At the final meeting on July 28, the Task Force adopted 31 recommendations to propel Illinois to becoming a national exemplar in the field of HEP. A final report is forthcoming and FTL will circulate the report to its mailing list as it is available. If you or someone you know would like to join FTL’s mailing list, please visit the FTL website.
FTL's Next Steps
FTL plans to work closely with legislators and allies to transform the recommendations into legislation. We need your help!
If you are interested in supporting legislation to expand quality HEP programs throughout Illinois, we welcome and encourage you to attend the next FTL Steering Committee meeting on Tuesday, August 16th from 2:30-3:30pm. If you would like to attend or have any questions, please email Nancy Negrete at [email protected]
