The Education Advocate program emerged from conversations between incarcerated students and correctional leadership, recognizing a need for stronger academic support especially in the area of literacy. The program employs incarcerated individuals—all of whom earned associate degrees while incarcerated—to provide tutoring and mentorship across various educational levels, from high school to university coursework.

Operating out of a shared student center, Education Advocates help peers navigate their educational journeys while also engaging in leadership roles. Their work extends beyond tutoring—they have hosted film screenings in collaboration with the Sundance Film Festival and even written successful grant proposals to support their initiatives.

Unlike many correctional employment programs, wages for Education Advocates are not subject to room and board deductions, allowing them to retain their full earnings. The University of Utah directly funds the positions, with the Department of Corrections managing payment distribution.

The program is structured around consensus-based decision-making, with working groups focusing on areas such as arts, policy and reentry, educational pathways, and health and wellness. By empowering participants to take an active role in shaping the initiative, Utah is building a sustainable model for WBL that centers on leadership and skill development.

Action steps for other states looking to adapt Utah’s approach:

1. Leverage incarcerated individuals’ skills to support peer education and mentorship.
2. Advocate for equitable wages that reflect the value of incarcerated individuals’ work.
3. Engage correctional leadership early to secure support and streamline implementation.
4. Explore funding sources, including university resources and grant opportunities.
5. Implement leadership structures that give incarcerated participants decision-making power.
6. Design programs that develop marketable reentry skills and real-world experience.