Strengthening Higher Education in Prison Programs Nationwide
The restoration of Pell Grant eligibility for incarcerated students in 2020 has transformed the higher education in prison (HEP) landscape. In just a few years, the number of HEP programs has grown from roughly 50 to more than 600 across the United States.
As the field expands, many programs face similar challenges: building quality systems, supporting student success, and implementing evidence-informed practices. Yet organizations often work independently, without easy access to shared resources, implementation guidance, or proven approaches. AIR is helping strengthen the infrastructure needed for HEP programs and technical assistance providers to learn from one another and scale effective practices.
AIR's Approach
With funding from Ascendium Education Group, AIR is leading a five-year initiative to strengthen the HEP ecosystem through coordinated technical assistance, resource development, and capacity building.
This work draws on AIR's experience managing HEP-focused projects, participating in national convenings, and collaborating with practitioners, researchers, and technical assistance providers across the field.
The initiative provides universal, targeted, and intensive support to help build a more sustainable and resilient HEP ecosystem.
What AIR Will Deliver
AIR will work with partners across the HEP field to:
- Convene technical assistance providers to share knowledge, address common challenges, and align efforts around shared priorities;
- Identify high-impact technical assistance needs and develop practical tools, resources, and guidance for HEP programs;
- Expand and enhance the Resource Community for Higher Education in Prison (RCHEP) as a central hub for resources, promising practices, and peer learning; and
- Develop learning opportunities that help technical assistance providers use evidence and data to improve the effectiveness of their support.
By strengthening connections across the field and expanding access to practical knowledge, this initiative will help HEP programs and technical assistance providers build capacity, improve quality, and support student success.
The result will be a stronger, more coordinated, and more sustainable HEP ecosystem that can continue to grow while maintaining high-quality educational opportunities for incarcerated learners.
