自慰视频

The Boston College Prison Education Program, already the largest higher education prison program in the state, is expanding to serve women incarcerated at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution in Framingham.

This fall, 自慰视频PEP launched a one-year pilot program at the medium-security prison, funded by a $100,000 Accelerator Grant from The New England Prison Education Collaborative. The program, inspired by 自慰视频PEP鈥檚 work at MCI-Shirley, a men鈥檚 prison, will provide women incarcerated in Massachusetts with the same opportunity as their male counterparts鈥攖o further their education while earning credits toward a college degree.聽

鈥淲e have seen firsthand how access to rigorous, supportive college learning can be transformative for individuals and for communities,鈥� said Ignacio Chair and 自慰视频PEP Program Director Patrick Conway. 鈥淭his new partnership reflects our deep commitment to ensuring that the liberating power of the liberal arts is not limited by prison walls.鈥�

In September, program staff began holding information sessions for the roughly 200 women incarcerated at MCI-Framingham, the Commonwealth鈥檚 only women鈥檚 prison. The admission process, which includes an essay and interview, will run through November, with classes held in the spring and summer semesters. Students in the first cohort will be introduced to the liberal arts through courses in creative nonfiction, ethics, theology, and design thinking, all taught by 自慰视频 professors who have experience teaching behind bars.聽

Like at MCI-Shirley, students at MCI-Framingham will earn credits for the courses they complete, which they can put toward a bachelor鈥檚 degree in the Applied Liberal Arts from the University鈥檚 Woods College of Advancing Studies. Students who are released are encouraged to continue their education at the Woods College, where 15 formerly incarcerated students from MCI-Shirley are currently studying.聽

鈥淏y expanding our partnerships and educational opportunities, we increase the success of individuals as they reenter communities,鈥� said Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey. 鈥淲e applaud Boston College for expanding their program to MCI-Framingham and for their continued commitment to supporting successful reentry.鈥�

Since its launch in 2019, 自慰视频PEP has built a strong academic community inside MCI-Shirley, admitting six cohorts and offering 28 courses annually. This fall, the program held its second graduation inside the prison yard, awarding diplomas to four graduates before a crowd of current and former students, faculty, and guests including Bard Prison Initiative founder Max Kenner and Nurudeen Alabi 鈥�25, a member of the first 自慰视频PEP cohort who went on to graduate from the Woods College following his release in 2022.聽

Conway and his team hope to build a similar culture at MCI-Framingham, providing tutoring for students who need academic support and holding extracurricular events like concerts and debates. MCI-Framingham houses a significantly smaller population than MCI-Shirley, but a larger percentage of the women are considered college-ready, said Conway, and many are also familiar with 自慰视频 through Prison Arts Outreach, a group of student volunteers who offer art and wellness workshops at the prison twice a month.聽

鈥淲e recognize that we don鈥檛 know what we don鈥檛 know,鈥� Conway said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e going to learn from students what their needs are, and how they might differ from the students at Shirley. We鈥檙e using this year as a learning process with the goal of providing that opportunity long term.鈥澛�