tag: Higher education in prison
Blog Post
April 10, 2026
Strengthening Data Infrastructure for Higher Education in Prison in Mississippi
A New Report
Mississippi’s higher education in prison ecosystem is at an inflection point. Programs are expanding across the state, many programs are beginning to see their first graduates, and student demand continues to outpace available capacity. At the same time, federal requirements tied to Pell restoration have increased expectations for data collection, reporting, and accountability. In a new report, we explore how Mississippi is navigating this moment.
Research Report
April 10, 2026
Assessing Mississippi’s Higher Education in Prison Data Infrastructure
This report documents Phase 1 of a multi-phase effort to understand Mississippi’s current higher education in prison data landscape and identify opportunities for improvement. Drawing on stakeholder interviews, document review, and engagement with MCHEP and other state partners, the assessment examines what data are currently collected, how those data are used, where there are gaps and inconsistencies, and what limits the usefulness of existing data for decision-making.
Past Event
April 10, 2026
Unlocking Access
ADA, Accessibility, and Assistive Technologies in Carceral Classrooms and Libraries
At the Alliance for Higher Education in Prison’s NCHEP Conference, Ithaka S+R’s Ess Pokornowski will join a panel to discuss accessibility and assistive technologies in carceral classrooms and libraries. Drawing from firsthand experience and research, panelists will share how accessible education and library services can transform prison environments, support rehabilitation, and foster lifelong learning. Attendees will leave with real-world examples, actionable strategies, and collaborative pathways that are grounded in recent studies, publications, and research to help make aspirational changes…
Past Event
February 21, 2026
Disability and Technology Access in Correctional Contexts
On February 21, Ithaka S+R’s Ess Pokornowski will give a presentation exploring accessibility, disabilities, and reasonable accommodations in higher education in prison contexts, at the 2026 Stop the Stigma event. The presentation will primarily adapt and summarize previous Ithaka S+R work on educational technology access and educational spaces and learning environments in prison. It will also outline promising developments and future areas for research and technical assistance related to disability services in higher education in prison settings. View the…
Research Report
June 5, 2021
Facilitating a Higher Education in Prison Research Infrastructure
Higher education in prison (HEP) is at a critical juncture. Just the past five years have seen the launch of the Second Chance Pell pilot program, a strong and growing cohort of college- and university-affiliated HEP programs, and sharpened national focus on the intersection of systemic racism, mass incarceration, and the pursuit of educational equity. As the compelling examples of individual and societal benefits from HEP have accumulated, they reinforced the decades-long campaign to restore Pell Grants for incarcerated students,…