ABOUT THE PEP
The Prison Education Program was established in 2016, building on over 10 years of coordination with the University of Oregon and the Oregon Department of Corrections to offer credited classes through Inside-Out courses, where UO students take upper-division classes side-by-side with incarcerated students, within prison walls.
The program works in an interdisciplinary academic framework, and with a broad range of students, campus groups, and national organizations to provide educational opportunities in prisons, while providing a unique, transformative educational experience for campus-based students.
WHY GIVE TO THE PEP
Since it started, our Prison Education Program has provided students and incarcerated individuals life-changing lessons on community, commonality, diversity, democracy, and inclusion. Our reach goes beyond just the classroom. In fact, incarcerated participants are 43% less likely to return to prison. In addition, every $1 invested in prison education saves $4-$5 in re-incarceration costs. That is one socially responsible investment!
“I find these classes to be so humbling--not just for the opportunity to get real college credits, but because in the Prison Education Program’s classes I was treated like a human being. I will be released a better person because of them.” – Joey, incarcerated student
The connections that are built during these courses are unmatched by any other instructional format. This unique program has been supported by donors like you for well over a decade. And we plan to continue this work with your help. Take a look at what we have been able to accomplish together and what we can further achieve with your support today:
OUR IMPACT
Since its inception in 2007, the PEP has touched many lives.
- 62 Inside-Out courses have been taught
- 31 program activities have been led by UO student leaders
- 1,000+ UO students have participated
- 1,750+ incarcerated students have participated in courses
- 800+ lives of incarcerated individuals changed each year through transformative workshops and activities
- Every inside student who has earned their bachelor’s degree through our program has done so with high honors
- Our PEP is the only such program in Oregon that has awarded bachelor’s degrees since 1994
Alumni of the PEP have gone on to make an impact in a range of professional activities, including work in government, law, education, social work, and medicine. They also have volunteered with the Peace Corps, Teach for America, AmeriCorps, Equal Justice Initiative, and other large and small nonprofits across Oregon and around the world.
Today, the UO PEP is among the largest in the country, and one of the very few programs to offer bachelor’s degrees to participants. The impacts are immeasurable. Hear what one of our past participants had to say:
“Inside-Out was the most impactful class I had the opportunity to take while in college--it was a formative class for me in that it was my first exposure to a world that is otherwise completely hidden from the public eye, and to the criminal justice system as a whole, and it has helped inform my thought process about social justice issues that may not directly relate to incarceration.” – Namratha, Class of 2017
GIVE TO THE PEP
Ready to take part? Make a life-changing gift today.
Learn more about the UO’s Prison Education Program
We thank you for your contribution and continued support of the Prison Education Program!
In addition to your 25 gifts, you’ve unlocked a $5,000 challenge gift from an anonymous donor for the Prison Education Program, supporting transformative experiences for UO and incarcerated students through Inside-Out classes, workshops, internships, and more. Thank you!
Let’s keep it going! Share with your networks through social media and/or email. Thanks!
We’ve already reached two milestones for our inaugural Ducks Give day for the Prison Education Program! Our first five donors unlocked a generous gift of $2,500 from Helen Gernon and Dennis Stimple. Then the next ten donors unlocked the Don Strand, Class of ’79, Prison Education Program challenge gift of $5,000! We’ve received 15 gifts so far, and counting. Your contributions will provide UO and incarcerated students life-changing lessons on community, commonality, diversity, and more. Thank you so much for helping us kick this off. We can’t do this without friends like you!
| Rank | State | Gifts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | OR | 38 |
| 2 | CA | 8 |
| 3 | CO | 3 |
