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The third cohort includes 14 programs from around the United States. The cohort represents the diversity of the higher education in prison stakeholder community, including degree and non-degree granting programs, various institutional types, geographic locations, types of facilities, size of program, diversity of staff, leadership, and program participants and existing program infrastructure.
Over the past two years, the Alliance has gained valuable insights into remote WBL and employment for incarcerated learners through our Education in Action (EiA) initiative. Now, we are expanding this work by launching a year-long cohort to support prison education programs (PEPs) in creating these pathways and opportunities for their students. This cohort will be a select group of practitioners setting new standards and expanding possibilities for incarcerated learners. As remote work reshapes industries worldwide, the Alliance is leading the charge to bring these emerging and evolving practices into the realm of prison education.
The theme of this cohort centers on strengthening the link between education and career pathways by integrating remote WBL for incarcerated students. Over the course of a year, cohort members will gain access to the tools, knowledge, and strategies needed to implement WBL within their PEPs. Cohort members will learn from and collaborate with other program directors who have successfully implemented WBL as well as other experts in the field, contributing to an emerging practice that is redefining the landscape of education in the carceral space.
The Alliance believes that WBL—through internships, fellowships, practicums, and apprenticeships—is essential to quality education because it bridges the gap between theory and practice, equipping students with real-world skills, professional networks, and the confidence to navigate their careers effectively. When students have hands-on experience, it not only deepens understanding, but also enhances employability, ensuring that education translates into tangible, lasting opportunities.
