For many convicts, prison offers little in the way of rehabilitation. Securing employment after release becomes difficult and recidivism is high. According to Bard College, one half to two thirds of the 750,000 prisoners released each year return to prison within only a few years. The Bard Prison Initiative (BPI) was created to change that! BPI offers incarcerated men and women the opportunity to earn their associate’s or bachelor’s degree while serving their sentences. There are currently 250 men and women enrolled with BPI at 5 New York State prisons; it is the largest program of its kind.
Prior to 1994, financial aid was offered to prisoners wishing to further their education while incarcerated. After Pell Grant eligibility was revoked, BPI established a new way for inmates to earn degrees in 1999, an initiative funded by generous donors instead of federal aid. By 2005, the first candidates were awarded Bard College degrees.
Check out the following video for an inspiring overview of what the Bard Prison Initiative is all about, then read on for more details!
“The goal of education is not to turn a man into a brick layer, but to turn a brick layer into a full man.” – W.B. Dubois
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