ERIC Number: EJ1424805
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024-Mar
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0884-9153
EISSN: N/A
Minding the Gap: Building Equitable, Accessible, and Sustainable Prison Education Programs in Pennsylvania
Isaiah Zukowski; Rodger C. Benefiel Jr.; Liana K. Cole
Journal of Student Financial Aid, v53 n1 Article 3 2024
The reinstatement of Pell grant eligibility for incarcerated individuals marks a pivotal moment in the landscape of higher education in prison (HEP) programming in the United States. However, despite this promising development, financial barriers persist, hindering the growth and sustainability of HEP initiatives. This qualitative study delves into the challenges faced by faculty, staff, and administrators within Pennsylvania's colleges and universities as they establish and operate HEP programs amidst an evolving funding environment. Drawing on interviews with nine HEP administrators across the state, we explore obstacles they confront, ranging from the Pell grant funding gap to logistical hurdles such as access to educational materials and technology. Moreover, demographic disparities and security concerns emerge as significant factors impacting the relationship between HEP programs and the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (DOC). Our findings extend beyond financial constraints, revealing broader systemic barriers to equitable and accessible HEP programming. We provide potential policy solutions to address these multifaceted challenges and foster a more supportive institutional environment for post-secondary education in Pennsylvania's carceral system.
Descriptors: Correctional Education, Federal Aid, Grants, Educational Finance, Educational Equity (Finance), Access to Education, Sustainability, College Faculty, College Administration, School Personnel, Student Financial Aid, Higher Education, Barriers
Center for Economic Education at the University of Louisville. Porter Building, 1905 South 1st Street, Louisville, Ky, 40292. e-mail: jsfa@louisville.edu; Web site: https://ir.library.louisville.edu/jsfa/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Pennsylvania
Identifiers - Laws, Policies, & Programs: Pell Grant Program
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A