Mentoring Justice-Impacted People Toward STEM Career Goals

Special thanks to From Prison Cells to PhD for their leadership and design in this project! 

Justice-impacted individuals face a challenging and exclusionary system that impedes their access to higher education, particularly in STEM fields. This predicament significantly increases the risk of recidivism, contributes to lower income positions, intensifies mental health disorders, and fosters social isolation. Recognizing the need for change, our study delves deep into the intricacies of this issue, shedding light on the transformative potential of education, mentorship, and STEM in prison settings.

Key Highlights:

• Positive Self-Perception: Maintaining a positive self-perception even in the face of extreme discrimination can lead to positive outcomes. Mentoring can support maintaining that positive self-perception.

• Alleviating Social Isolation and Mental Health Impacts: Explore how well-designed mentorship programs can serve as a powerful antidote, fostering a sense of community and support among justice-involved individuals.

• Collaborative Solutions: Learn about the collaborative effort required to reduce barriers and provide STEM courses for incarcerated or formerly incarcerated populations. Correctional institutions, reentry programs, educators, and employers must join forces to create opportunities for skill development and knowledge acquisition.