The mission of the Institute is to open doors and eliminate barriers to success for people who have been involved in the criminal legal system. The Institute creates access to higher education and pathways to satisfying careers. They also advocate for the right to housing, employment, healthcare, and other human rights for individuals with criminal convictions.
Programs:
1. The Institute’s Educational Pathways allow students who have been involved with the criminal legal system to pursue higher education
The Pathways:
- Prison-to-College Pipeline (P2CP) is a college-in-prison program that allows students to begin their studies at Otisville Correctional Facility and continue working toward a degree in their communities after release.
- College Initiative (CI) is a college preparation program and community that helps students with past criminal legal system involvement pursue associate’s, bachelor’s, and graduate degrees.
- College Pathways offers credit-bearing courses at New York City correctional facilities, creating a pathway from city jails to higher education.
- HSE (High School Equivalency) Connect supports individuals ages 25+ criminal legal system involvement in earning their HSE.
2. Bridging the worlds of workforce development, higher education, and criminal justice reform, Career Pathways prepare people for successful careers in human services and community justice
The Pathways:
- Tech 101: Technology fundamentals for previously incarcerated students
- Navigator Certificate: Unlocking the value of lived experience in the criminal legal system
- Supervisor Training Certificate: Supervisory practices that support employees and nurture growth
- Fellowships: Training the next generation of leaders in juvenile justice, policy advocacy, and philanthropy