Barriers to STEM Education for Directly Impacted

It is with heavy hearts that we at STEM-OPS share news of the passing of Eddie Bernice Johnson, the namesake of our National Science Foundation (NSF) INCLUDES grant. Her legacy has provided a profound impact in STEM, healthcare, and social justice.  

Eddie Bernice Johnson was born on December 3, 1934, in Waco, Texas, to Edward Johnson and Lillie Mae White Johnson. From an early age, she aspired to a career in medicine, despite facing discouragement from a high school guidance counselor who deemed it impossible due to her gender. Undeterred, she graduated with her nursing certificate in 1955 and became a civil rights activist in the 1960s, defying expectations and breaking barriers. Eventually, she made a career in politics, becoming a Congresswoman and the founder of NSF’s Eddie Bernice Johnson INCLUDES National Network. … Read More… »

The Prison Teaching Initiative at Princeton University and the National Science Foundation have combined their efforts to provide nine-week REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) STEM summer internship opportunities to justice-impacted students in undergrad programs. Ali Muslim participated in the REU internship in Computational Biology this past summer; his research focused on the compression of phononic crystals with holes in the shape of circles and squares of different sizes to be observed and explore the shape after compression. Prior to his REU experience, graduate Ali Muslim struggled with computer literacy skills and advised program leadership to be more considerate toward formerly incarcerated students by providing computer literacy classes for formerly incarcerated students transitioning back into society. The Prison Teaching Initiative took heed to Mr. Muslim’s suggestions and allied with partners to offer intro-level computer literacy modules, courses on Scientific Thought and Engineering, and Coding workshops. In the letter below, Mr. Muslim shares his experiences and speaks on the greatest benefits and his most significant takeaways from the program.   … Read More… »

When you are on the inside, education becomes an essential means of survival and, luckily, in most carceral institutions, those serving time can participate in classes. However, the presence of classes alone does not guarantee your acceptance into them. Some classes require a high school diploma or equivalent. As in the outside world, conflicts with another class or with prison job responsibilities may make taking some classes impossible. Even your release date can be at odds with a class schedule. If you are able to overcome these barriers and participate in prison education, though, a door opens to growth, and being in prison becomes tolerable. There is suddenly something to work toward, and it challenges you to be the version of yourself that you want to become.  

Recently, a new program began inside the walls of Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women. It welcomed 10 ladies to embark on a new journey, a journey that would have a profound impact on their futures as returning citizens. This six-month program would teach them the fundamentals of becoming a lab assistant and working inside a medical laboratory. … Read More… »

Prison education can have life changing benefits. Unfortunately, there are high rates of recidivism among formerly incarcerated individuals. A 2012 Bureau of Justice Statistics study found that of about 404,638 formerly incarcerated people in 34 states, 67.8% were rearrested three years post release and 76.6% were rearrested within five years. Yet, according to a study by Rand Corporation, those who participate in higher education programs are 43% less likely to recidivate. College classes taught in prisons produce employment opportunities and make reentry smoother post incarceration. In addition, for those receiving higher education while serving longer or life long sentences, a St. Cloud State University study suggests there is a decrease in violence and disciplinary infractions.… Read More… »

Prison education can have life changing benefits. Unfortunately, there are high rates of recidivism among formerly incarcerated individuals. A 2012 Bureau of Justice Statistics study found that of about 404,638 formerly incarcerated people in 34 states, 67.8% were rearrested three years post release and 76.6% were rearrested within five years. Yet, according to a study by Rand Corporation, those who participate in higher education programs are 43% less likely to recidivate. College classes taught in prisons produce employment opportunities and make reentry smoother post incarceration. In addition, for those receiving higher education while serving longer or life long sentences, a St. Cloud State University study suggests there is a decrease in violence and disciplinary infractions.… Read More… »

Prison education can have life changing benefits. Unfortunately, there are high rates of recidivism among formerly incarcerated individuals. A 2012 Bureau of Justice Statistics study found that of about 404,638 formerly incarcerated people in 34 states, 67.8% were rearrested three years post release and 76.6% were rearrested within five years. Yet, according to a study by Rand Corporation, those who participate in higher education programs are 43% less likely to recidivate. College classes taught in prisons produce employment opportunities and make reentry smoother post incarceration. In addition, for those receiving higher education while serving longer or life long sentences, a St. Cloud State University study suggests there is a decrease in violence and disciplinary infractions.… Read More… »

Prison education can have life changing benefits. Unfortunately, there are high rates of recidivism among formerly incarcerated individuals. A 2012 Bureau of Justice Statistics study found that of about 404,638 formerly incarcerated people in 34 states, 67.8% were rearrested three years post release and 76.6% were rearrested within five years. Yet, according to a study by Rand Corporation, those who participate in higher education programs are 43% less likely to recidivate. College classes taught in prisons produce employment opportunities and make reentry smoother post incarceration. In addition, for those receiving higher education while serving longer or life long sentences, a St. Cloud State University study suggests there is a decrease in violence and disciplinary infractions.… Read More… »

Prison education can have life changing benefits. Unfortunately, there are high rates of recidivism among formerly incarcerated individuals. A 2012 Bureau of Justice Statistics study found that of about 404,638 formerly incarcerated people in 34 states, 67.8% were rearrested three years post release and 76.6% were rearrested within five years. Yet, according to a study by Rand Corporation, those who participate in higher education programs are 43% less likely to recidivate. College classes taught in prisons produce employment opportunities and make reentry smoother post incarceration. In addition, for those receiving higher education while serving longer or life long sentences, a St. Cloud State University study suggests there is a decrease in violence and disciplinary infractions.… Read More… »