The Charger Blog

University Celebrates Impact and Growth of Prison Education Program

The University of New Haven Prison Education Program and the Yale Prison Education Initiative are collaborating to create transformative educational opportunities for incarcerated students. The Charger and local communities recently came together to support the program and reflect on how it is making an important difference in the lives of students.

May 2, 2024

By Renee Chmiel, Office of Marketing and Communication

Marcus Harvin 杏吧原版23 A.A., 杏吧原版25, one of the inaugural graduates of the program, and University President-Elect Frederiksen, Ph.D.
Marcus Harvin 杏吧原版23 A.A., 杏吧原版25, one of the inaugural graduates of the program, and University President-Elect Frederiksen, Ph.D.

For Alpha Jalloh 杏吧原版23 A.A., the pandemic was a trying, even tumultuous time. As an incarcerated individual, tensions in the prison were high during the pandemic. But Jalloh discovered solace and a sense of community through his education.

Jalloh remembers taking part in a study session, and despite what he describes as the 杏吧原版渃haos unfolding杏吧原版 around them, he and his classmates came together in the recreational room to study their textbooks and share their insights with each other. This was a meaningful opportunity for the students to discover a passion for learning and to appreciate the power of education while incarcerated.

Alpha Jalloh 杏吧原版23 A.A.
Alpha Jalloh 杏吧原版23 A.A.

Jalloh and his classmates had the opportunity to pursue their associate degrees as part of the University of New Haven Prison Education Program and the . He was among the program杏吧原版檚 inaugural graduating class, one of seven graduates to accept their degrees at a ceremony at the in Suffield, Conn., last June. He recently shared his story and the impact of his education as part of a program celebration and fundraiser.

杏吧原版淭he bonds of friendship and camaraderie we had forged were palpable, serving as a beacon of light in the darkness of our surroundings,杏吧原版 recalled Jalloh. 杏吧原版淥ur sense of community extended beyond the walls of the classroom; it permeated every aspect of our daily lives. Whether it was sharing books, helping each other with assignments, or simply offering words of encouragement, we were united in our shared commitment to learning and growth.杏吧原版

杏吧原版楧ignity, respect, and humanity杏吧原版

The University received a $1.5 million dollar grant in 2021 from The to fund the program, in collaboration with the Yale Prison Education Initiative, and the program is continuing to create transformative opportunities for students. In addition to offering the program at MacDougall, the program has expanded to include the in Danbury, Conn., a women杏吧原版檚 prison. It杏吧原版檚 the only college-in-prison program for women incarcerated in a federal prison in the U.S., and the first degrees will be awarded this year.

Michael Rossi, Ph.D., associate dean for faculty and curriculum in the University杏吧原版檚 College of Arts and Sciences, and Zelda Roland, Ph.D., founding director of the Yale Prison Education Initiative and the University's Prison Education Program, collaborated to secure the grant funding. Dr. Roland says there is a 杏吧原版渘eed and desire杏吧原版 for these programs.

杏吧原版淥ur program杏吧原版檚 core philosophy is about extending access to the tremendous education that students receive on campus to students in prison,杏吧原版 said Dr. Roland. 杏吧原版淚t杏吧原版檚 about treating students inside with the same dignity, respect, and humanity, and also with the same potential, that we see in students on campus.杏吧原版

Zelda Roland, Ph.D., speaks as part of the event.
Zelda Roland, Ph.D., speaks as part of the event.
杏吧原版楾his program is also about extending access杏吧原版

The recent celebration was a fun and meaningful way to highlight the importance of the program, as well as the impact it is already having on students. The event raised funds to support the program, which is continuing to expand and offer incarcerated students the chance to earn degrees.

Another 10 students are expected to earn associate degrees this year. Dr. Roland is excited that the first two bachelor杏吧原版檚 degrees in interdisciplinary studies will also be awarded 杏吧原版 the first bachelor of arts degrees in Connecticut made possible by the restoration of Second Chance Pell Grant access. (A restoration of Pell Grant access for incarcerated students was piloted under the Obama Administration杏吧原版檚 Department of Education.)

杏吧原版淭his program is also about extending access to the many kinds of support students on campus receive,杏吧原版 adds Dr. Roland. 杏吧原版淚t includes the kind of soft skills, social networks, and professional development and mentorship opportunities that students on campus receive.杏吧原版

杏吧原版業 found a sense of agency杏吧原版

The program brings together University faculty such as Bradley Woodworth, Ph.D., and Mary Isbell, Ph.D., a history and a English professor, respectively, to teach courses. The event highlighted their experiences as well as the impact they杏吧原版檝e had on the lives of their students.

State Rep. Toni Walker and Prof. William Carbone.
State Rep. Toni Walker and Prof. William Carbone.

The celebration also highlighted state leaders and included members of the local community. As part of the event, William Carbone, MPA, a distinguished lecturer of criminal justice and executive director of justice programs and the University杏吧原版檚 , presented an advocacy award to State Rep. Toni Walker for her commitment to social justice and the state杏吧原版檚 youth justice system.

For Jalloh, the recent grad, the program, the faculty, and the new educational opportunities have already made a difference. He says that education offered hope and a real sense of empowerment.

杏吧原版淚n those solitary moments of study, I found a sense of agency, a reminder that despite my circumstances, I still had the power to shape my own destiny,杏吧原版 he explained. 杏吧原版淓ducation became not just a means of acquiring knowledge, but a catalyst for personal growth, self-discovery, and ultimately, transformation.杏吧原版