Wesleyan University Center for Prison Education

OUR MISSION

To provide a high-caliber college education to incarcerated men and women, in order both

to enrich the lives of those who are systematically denied access to educational

opportunities and to enhance Wesleyan's academic community.

The Center for Prison Education offers a dynamic approach to democratize access to

educational opportunity and reduce rates of re-incarceration, thereby creating healthier and

safer communities.

OUR VISION

The Center is an initiative of Wesleyan University in collaboration with Connecticut’s Unified School District #1, and a member of the Consortium for

the Liberal Arts in Prison at Bard College.

WHO WE ARE

In September 2009, the Center enrolled its first class of students—19 men at Cheshire Prison.

Over the past two years, these students have pursued a broad curriculum of Wesleyan courses

in the humanities and the natural and social sciences. Now in its third year, the Center will

double its student population this Fall, and plans to expand to a facility for women by 2012.

COLLEGE IN PRISON

SERVICE LEARNING

The Center also provides diverse research and volunteer opportunities for students on

Wesleyan’s main campus. Current undergraduates collaborate closely with

incarcerated men, women and youth in a range of courses offerings and workshops, and by serving

as writing tutors and teaching assistants.

There are more African American men incarcerated than enrolled in college. At current rates, one in three black men will spend time behind bars. Here in Connecticut – the state with the highest incarceration rate in the northeast – Latinos are 12 times more likely than whites to be imprisoned, and

Blacks are 22 times more likely than whites to be imprisoned.

Reflecting nationwide trends, Connecticut’s prisoners come disproportionately from low-income communities and communities of color, demographics that schools like

Wesleyan struggle to reach.

Our students are selected solely on the basis of their academic merit. As much as possible, our admissions committees seek to identify creativity, curiosity and intellectual potential

independent from prior educational attainment. None of our current students had attended

college prior to their arrest, and 60% received high school equivalency while in prison.

ADMISSIONS PROCESS

THE MULTIPLE BENEFITS

OF COLLEGE IN PRISON

Prisoners who merely participate in postsecondary education are 46% less likely to recidivate than members of the general prison

population. Increased education levels correspond to even lower rates: those who leave

prison with associates degrees are 62% less likely to return to prison than those with a GED.

…FOR TAXPAYERS

I am amazed by how the prison’s culture has changed in such a short period of time. The Wesleyan program has done more than offer

college accredited courses. I know to some degree the program will be judged by grade point averages, but the true success can be

measured in the lives that have already been changed. The education being afforded to a segment of the population cannot be viewed as static – it has had a dynamic effect on the entire population. My classmates and I have undergone a preparatory process which will allow every one of us to contribute in ways

that we never imagined.

– David Haywood, student

…FOR PRISONERS

Corrections officers attest that college-in-prison facilitates improved relations between guards and inmates, promotes successful mentoring relationships among prisoners, reduces racial

tension and decreases disciplinary infractions. A study of an Indiana college-in-prison program

found that enrollees were 75% less likely to commit infractions.

…FOR CORRECTIONS OFFICERS

Wesleyan faculty are given an opportunity to have a direct impact on a crucial social issue precisely

by doing what they already do best: teach. The University is able to live up to its stated mission of civic engagement, and students are given an exciting array of service-learning opportunities.

…FOR WESLEYAN

“When I signed up to participate in the program, I did not imagine that this would end up to be the most profound

teaching experience I have ever had.  The challenges, the level of engagement, the progress, and the impact: every

aspect of the course was more intense and rewarding than I have ever experienced before.”

– Professor Michael McAlear Molecular Biology and Biochemistry

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT With in-kind support of overhead, office space, and volunteer and

staff time provided by Wesleyan University, gifts to the Center directly impact our students. All contributions are tax-deductible.

•  Adopt a Course: $7,500 provides for a faculty stipend and course books for 19 students.

•  Sponsor a Student: $3,000 supplies a full scholarship for 1 student for 2 years.

•  Supply a Computer: $300 will buy one computer in our new Wesleyan IT lab at Cheshire.

•  Host an Event: Bring friends, family and colleagues together to learn about and support the Center.

Wesleyan Center for Prison Education 167 High Street, first floor

Contact Middletown CT 06459 Alexis Sturdy 860.685.2162 asturdy@wesleyan.edu

To learn more and to contribute, please visit: www.wesleyan.edu/cpe