Breaking Barriers: How Education Empowers the Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated

Accessing education remains a significant challenge for individuals currently or formerly incarcerated. Inside prison walls, partnerships with local colleges provide limited coursework, but constant facility transfers and ineligibility for tuition loans can derail academic ambitions. Even after release, barriers like restrictions on on-campus housing often block these students from pursuing higher education, denying them opportunities that could lead to meaningful change.

While some advocate for prison education solely on the basis of lowering recidivism and improving job prospects, innovative programs are now emphasizing liberal arts and political education. These initiatives aim to foster self-discovery and a deeper understanding of the systemic issues that contribute to incarceration, equipping students to become advocates for change.

For Aminah Elster, access to education transformed her life. After earning an associate’s degree while incarcerated, she went on to graduate from UC Berkeley with a bachelor’s in legal studies. Elster credits her coursework, especially in history, with expanding her worldview and inspiring her advocacy work. “It enlightened me to a bigger purpose, not only for myself but for all Black people,” she reflected.

Programs like the Bard Prison Initiative are leading the charge for educational access. Their new microcollege in Harlem will focus on community engagement and advocacy for those affected by the criminal justice system, offering a curriculum that empowers students to navigate and challenge systemic inequities.

As more institutions embrace this model, the importance of education as a tool for empowerment and social change becomes increasingly clear. “Your education is the one thing no law can take away from you,” said advocate DeAnna Hoskins, highlighting the enduring value of learning in reclaiming agency and identity.