Northwestern Prison Education Program: Transforming Lives Through Education
The Northwestern Prison Education Program (NPEP) stands as a beacon of hope, demonstrating the transformative power of education within the confines of incarceration. This article delves into the origins, evolution, impact, and significance of NPEP, highlighting its unique position as a leading program in prison education.
Genesis and Mission
The Northwestern Prison Education Program (NPEP) was born from the vision of Jennifer Lackey, the Wayne and Elizabeth Jones Professor of Philosophy and NPEP director. Recognizing the potential for education to empower and transform lives, Professor Lackey initiated the program, which officially began in 2018. The program's mission is to provide incarcerated individuals in Illinois with access to a high-quality liberal arts education, offering them opportunities for personal and intellectual growth.
NPEP operates in partnership with Oakton Community College and the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC). This collaboration allows admitted NPEP students at Stateville and Logan Correctional Centers to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree, engaging in a full course load taught by Northwestern professors within the prisons' walls.
Overcoming Challenges
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges to NPEP, as it did to educational institutions worldwide. The program's resilience was tested as in-person classes were suspended. However, the commitment of NPEP's staff, faculty, and students ensured that education continued through a correspondence model. Students interacted with professors and tutors through handwritten letters, demonstrating remarkable dedication to their studies.
The Graduate Student Advisory Council (GSAC), comprised entirely of volunteers, played a crucial role in supporting the students during this challenging time. Despite ongoing concerns about the virus, NPEP successfully organized an historic graduation ceremony at Stateville, while also facilitating Restorative Justice seminars and transitioning back to in-person classes. The GSAC's wellness team, in collaboration with Oakton professor Megan Klein, provides ongoing support to students as they pursue their Northwestern bachelor's degrees.
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A Historic Milestone
A significant milestone was achieved when Northwestern University admitted its inaugural class of bachelor’s degree-seeking students through NPEP. This historic announcement from Provost Kathleen Hagerty marked Northwestern as the first top 10 university in America to offer such a program. The decision to provide bachelor's degrees to NPEP students reflects a bold and courageous step, recognizing the power of education to enlighten, empower, and transform lives.
Student Perspectives
The impact of NPEP is perhaps best understood through the voices of its students. In a collection of personal reflections, students shared what NPEP means to them, offering varied perspectives on the program's significance. Thomas Gordon, Justin Foster, and Scott Sanders reflected on the application and enrollment process, highlighting the opportunities that NPEP has provided. Juan Garcia and Brandon V. Wyatt wrote about the broader importance of education and its intersection with abolition.
These personal accounts underscore the transformative potential of education within the prison system. NPEP provides students with not only academic knowledge but also a sense of purpose, community, and hope for the future.
Curriculum and Pedagogy
NPEP offers a diverse curriculum that includes courses in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Classes cover subjects ranging from poetry, visual arts, and creative writing to political theory, social studies, and history. The program also incorporates elements of restorative justice, encouraging students to critically examine the criminal justice system and their roles within it.
One professor who teaches at NPEP is physics and astronomy Prof. Shane Larson. Larson emphasized the difficulty of teaching via correspondence, especially with challenging science courses, when NU’s students were able to continue classes on Zoom, NPEP students did not have access to technology.
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NPEP’s classes and assignments also encourage students to analyze the criminal justice system at large. Students are encouraged to think critically, develop their analytical skills, and engage in meaningful discussions with their peers and professors.
Wellness and Support
Recognizing the importance of mental health and well-being, NPEP incorporates a comprehensive wellness program. The Graduate Student Advisory Council (GSAC) wellness team, spearheaded by fifth-year anthropology and public health graduate student Gerpha Gerlin, provides students with resources and support to navigate the challenges of incarceration and pursue their educational goals.
The wellness team offers a range of services, including wellness resource packets with reflective journaling prompts, check-in forms, poetry, games, short stories, and descriptions of meditative yoga poses. In-person programming, developed by the students, provides additional opportunities for connection and support.
Impact and Outcomes
The Northwestern Prison Education Program has a profound impact on the lives of its students, fostering personal growth, intellectual development, and a sense of hope for the future. The program's success is evident in the achievements of its graduates, many of whom have gone on to pursue further education, secure meaningful employment, and become active members of their communities.
Bernard McKinley, who entered prison at the age of 16, is a testament to the transformative power of education. Despite facing a daunting 100-year sentence, Bernard immersed himself in learning, earning his paralegal certificate by the age of 25. His commitment to education led to a reduction in his sentence, and he has since been accepted to law school. McKinley's story exemplifies the potential for incarcerated individuals to turn their lives around through education.
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DeJuan Gaines, another NPEP student, found inspiration within the program, fueled by a promise made to his late grandmother. His journey from a medium-security prison to the maximum-security confines of Stateville’s Correctional Center exemplifies his dedication to academic excellence. With aspirations to earn his bachelor’s degree and pursue entrepreneurship, DeJuan embodies the spirit of transformation fostered by the program.
Broderick Hollins, a former NPEP student who was released to parole in 2022, also speaks to the transformative power of this program. During his 13-year sentence, he was placed in solitary confinement for four months. To help himself and his fellow prison mate, he started to imagine life outside of their cells.
The Northwestern Prison Education Program not only benefits individual students but also contributes to broader societal goals. By providing incarcerated individuals with access to education, NPEP helps to reduce recidivism, promote rehabilitation, and create safer communities.
Challenges and Future Directions
Despite its successes, NPEP faces ongoing challenges, including limited resources, logistical constraints, and the stigma associated with incarceration. To address these challenges, the program relies on the dedication of its staff, faculty, and volunteers, as well as the support of its partners and donors.
Looking to the future, NPEP aims to expand its reach, enhance its curriculum, and strengthen its support services. The program seeks to create new opportunities for incarcerated individuals to access education and transform their lives.
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