Remote Learning Programs for Inmates: Education Beyond Prison Walls
Remote learning in prisons represents a fundamental shift in how justice, education, and opportunity are perceived. It is not a complete replacement for the classroom and on-site instruction, particularly when role-playing is required. However, long-distance learning technologies provide individualized instruction that is accessible at the convenience of the learner via an Internet connection, satellite feed, or television signal.
The Genesis of Remote Learning in Prisons
The idea of teaching software development behind bars was virtually unthinkable. “Everything was analog,” Chris remembers. “They wrote their business plans by hand. There were no computers, no internet."
Recognizing the need for scalability, The Last Mile (TLM) co-founder Chris Redlitz understood that technology was the key. “We realized early on that if we were going to scale, we needed technology,” said Chris. “But our philosophy was always people first, technology second."
Overcoming Hurdles and Building Trust
Introducing remote learning into correctional environments came with major cultural and logistical hurdles. “Convincing the Department of Corrections that remote instruction was both safe and effective took years,” Chris explained. TLM’s platform records every class, uses closed networks, and is fully audit-friendly. It was a massive leap of faith for corrections departments-but it worked.
Transformation Through Education
Henry Dillard, a TLM alum who spent 25 years incarcerated, recalls his first days in the tech classroom. “It was a whole new world. I hadn’t seen a computer since the floppy disk days. I was intimidated,” he says. “But remote learning helped me realize I could learn in new ways." Henry went from unsure student to in-class instructor, eventually becoming a remote learning manager. “Helping others through the same journey I went on made me understand the power of peer teaching."
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Remote instruction creates a unique environment in prison-one where students connect with instructors beyond the walls. “It was so humanizing to have people speak to us by name, to treat us like professionals,” Henry shared. “THE LAST MILE ISN’T JUST TEACHING FOLKS TO CODE. IT’S ABOUT BUILDING CONFIDENCE."
The Impact of Remote Learning
The data backs up what Henry experienced firsthand. The results are undeniable: only 5% of TLM alumni have been reincarcerated for new offenses, and 75% of those who’ve been released for six months or more are now employed. These numbers are transformative, and they prove that the model works.
Executive Director Kevin McCracken emphasized how remote instruction impacts the culture inside correctional facilities. “You see men and women walk into the classroom expecting another program that won’t lead anywhere,” Kevin said. “But within weeks, they’re asking questions, staying after class, and mentoring each other."
But that shift doesn’t happen by accident. It’s intentional-and deeply rooted in TLM’s philosophy of human-centered education. Kevin explained, “We’re creating an environment that builds confidence, connection, and community. That’s where remote instruction becomes a catalyst for growth: The digital format allows students to engage with industry professionals, alumni, and instructors from outside the prison walls."
Kevin is quick to point out that TLM’s success isn’t about tech alone. “You can’t just throw laptops at the problem,” he said. “We’ve created a structure of accountability, peer mentorship, and instructor support that helps people see their own value."
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With students now returning as teaching assistants, and alumni stepping into remote instructor roles, Kevin believes the model is proof that the future of education in prisons must be scalable, sustainable, and rooted in dignity. “What we do isn’t about charity or handouts. It’s about giving people the tools and structure to build something real,” he said. “WE’VE SEEN FIRSTHAND THAT WHEN PEOPLE ARE TREATED LIKE PROFESSIONALS, THEY BEGIN TO CARRY THEMSELVES THAT WAY."
The Future of Correctional Education
In January 2026, TLM’s redesigned classrooms will open at the reimagined San Quentin Rehabilitation Center. The classrooms will be outfitted with smart boards, secure video conferencing, and modular workstations. But beyond the tech, the focus is on fostering professional norms. “We’re creating a space that feels like a startup office, and not a prison classroom,” said Kevin McCracken. “When you shift the environment, you shift behavior."
But the impact of this new model goes far beyond San Quentin. In 2026, TLM will make its secure remote learning technology-delivered through its Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) model-available to other organizations across the country. This opens the door for a broader range of remote learning providers to bring their courses into correctional facilities for the first time.
At the same time, TLM students will begin using this same technology to participate in remote internships, interviews, and even paid employment while incarcerated. By connecting students to real companies through secure, work-ready infrastructure, TLM is building a bridge from the classroom directly to the workforce-before release. “MOST OF THE TIME IN PRISON, ALL YOU SEE ARE OTHER INCARCERATED PEOPLE AND STAFF. BUT IN THE TLM CLASSROOM, YOU’RE TALKING TO PEOPLE FROM THE OUTSIDE WHO SEE YOU AS HUMAN, WHO TREAT YOU WITH RESPECT. THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING FOR US."
“Our instructors are mentors as well as experts,” said Chris Redlitz. “Many are graduates of our own program. TLM’s model blends real-time instruction, self-paced modules, and a culture of peer mentorship and accountability.
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Remote learning in prisons is the blueprint for the future of correctional education. By combining secure technology, scalable systems, and a relentless belief in human potential, The Last Mile is proving that transformation is not only possible-it’s happening. “THE TRUTH IS, PEOPLE DON’T NEED TO BE FIXED. THEY NEED ACCESS. THEY NEED BELIEF. THEY NEED OPPORTUNITY."
Other Avenues for Education in Prisons
eLearning offers independent study opportunities in high-interest subject areas for personal enrichment and academic development. This program is a formalized teaching and learning system specifically designed to be carried out remotely through the use of electronic communication; the student works independently. eLearning is available regardless of geographic location and offers opportunities for students to take a deeper dive in particular areas of study. eLearning is available at all California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) institutions. Each course is designed to take a minimum of 100 hours to complete. Students are required to demonstrate at least ten hours of study per week, two of which are face to face with the teacher. All CDCR incarcerated individuals are eligible to enroll in eLearning voluntarily. Preference is given to those students who possess a high school diploma or its equivalence. Assignments and enrollments are open entry/open exit. Students who do not fulfill the minimum requirement of ten hours per week may be dropped from the class and/or program.
ASU-PEP is a leading higher education institution in the United States, specializing in print-based correspondence education accessible nationwide. Our primary goal is to empower incarcerated individuals through educational opportunities, which improves their chances of success after release. Our academic programs are designed to cater to a broad range of students, with certificates, associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees on offer. We are deeply committed to fostering educational opportunities and take pride in being one of the few quality correspondence programs available to incarcerated individuals in the country. In the coming years, we plan to expand our offerings even further. With the Revised Second Chance Pell Experiment, we are expanding face-to-face classes in the Colorado Department of Corrections. For family members looking to request information on behalf of an incarcerated student, please fill out this Google Form to request a catalog for future students.
There are a number of Federal and State long-distance training programs currently being offered to correctional personnel. Under funding from NIJ, the American Correctional Association has developed two online training courses: "Preventing and Managing Riots and Disturbances" and "Pepper Spray." This training targets line staff, managers, and trainers who are working in Federal, State, and local correctional facilities. A long-distance class titled "Internet Resources for Criminal Justice" is another effort by NIJ to keep corrections and law enforcement personnel up-to-date on Internet resources. Distance training programs offered by the NIC include interactive video conferences on managing infectious disease in correctional institutions and the management of staff conflict in the workplace. Long-distance training programs in the planning stages include the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections' (PDOC's) review of proposals for a distance training program for prison inmates. Instructional programs under consideration address bilingual education and information on drug and alcohol abuse. Trade-specific job training is also being considered.
Correspondence Courses: A Stepping Stone to a Brighter Future
If education programs are limited at your friend or loved one’s facility, consider enrolling them in an affordable correspondence course. Blackstone offers 11 different correspondences courses for incarcerated individuals to choose from.
- Blackstone’s Paralegal certificate program is an excellent option for incarcerated individuals, and the total tuition cost is only $885! In this program, students gain a broad understanding of the field of law. While it’s designed to prepare them for entry-level employment as paralegals, many of our students take this program to learn more about their own case or for personal enrichment.
- Our correspondence Advanced Paralegal course in Criminal Law takes a deep dive into the criminal legal system. For those currently incarcerated, it can be a particularly pertinent subject. Students learn about how criminal trials and sentencing work and the role of a defense attorney in defending the accused. There are a myriad of topics covered from the types of offenses to plea bargaining.
- Our correspondence Civil Litigation course is for incarcerated individuals looking to learn more about civil proceedings. The legal process for civil matters greatly differs from criminal matters, so taking both Criminal Law and Civil Litigation can provide a well-rounded understanding of both criminal and civil matters.
- If your incarcerated friend or loved one is interested in learning how to gather sources of information and conduct interviews of clients and witnesses, consider our affordable correspondence course in Interviewing & Investigating. This course is ideal for those with a natural investigative instinct.
- The Real Estate Law course for incarcerated individuals focuses on the legal aspects of the real estate industry, a significant practice area for many law firms. Students can expect to learn about the elements of real estate contracts, basic landlord/tenant law, the closing process, and more.
- For incarcerated individuals interested in the business world, our affordable correspondence course in Business & Corporate Law may be the perfect fit. This course is designed for those aspiring to work as paralegals in a business law firm or to deepen their understanding of business law.
- This course covers a multitude of topics including marriage, divorce, child custody and visitation rights, paternity, child abuse, and adoption.
- Incarcerated individuals interested in the medical field may want to consider enrolling in our Personal Injury and Torts course. This course offers students the chance to explore topics such as the Good Samaritan Law, medical malpractice, workers’ compensation, HIPAA, among others. Alongside personal injury law, students will also delve into tort law and the various types of torts.
- immigration and nationality law, providing students with the research skills needed to stay informed about this evolving field.
- Blackstone’s Wills, Trusts, & Estates correspondence course is designed to prepare students for paralegal roles in administering wills, trusts, and estates. Even if students are not pursuing a career in this field, learning about wills can be valuable for personal reasons. This affordable correspondence course covers the benefits of having a will, the legal requirements for executing, changing, and revoking a will, and the key clauses typically found in a will.
- The Practical Bankruptcy course for incarcerated individuals explores the bankruptcy system and the paralegal’s role throughout a bankruptcy proceeding. This affordable correspondence course offers comprehensive coverage, including the history of bankruptcy, the Bankruptcy Code and Bankruptcy Rules, bankruptcy litigation, appeals, and more. Incarcerated individuals may even have the opportunity to make money in prison by helping fellow inmates file for bankruptcy.
Additional Programs and Opportunities
Incarcerated individuals may also:
- participate in the literacy program for a minimum of 240 hours or until they obtain the GED.
- receive through institution job assignments and work in Federal Prison Industries.
- post-secondary education in vocational and occupationally oriented areas.
- participate in parenting classes to develop appropriate skills during incarceration.
- engage in and wellness activities to encourage healthy life styles and habits.
- access to a variety of fiction and nonfiction books, magazines, newspapers, and reference materials.
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