The case for higher education in prison
Higher education in prison is a proven strategy for reducing recidivism, promoting rehabilitation, and benefiting society. Incarcerated individuals who earn college degrees are far less likely to return to prison, leading to safer communities and lower correctional costs. Education provides critical thinking skills, self-discipline, and job readiness, helping break cycles of poverty and incarceration. It also improves prison environments by fostering respect and reducing violence. Financially, it’s highly effective — every dollar spent can save multiple dollars in future incarceration costs.
More than that, it affirms the humanity and potential of incarcerated people, offering a path to meaningful reintegration. Expanding access to college in prison is a practical, moral step toward a more just criminal justice system.
Prison education programs contribute to safer, more positive environments within correctional facilities.
A $1 investment in prison education can save an estimated $4 to $5 in reincarceration costs over three years.
​Studies indicate a 13% increase in post-release employment for parolees who participate in prison education programs.
Michigan can save thousands of dollars per year for each incarcerated college student.
"MiCHEP Has made relationship management easier and created a team approach to breaking barriers."
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MiCHEP Member Program Director
"A united front is more important than ever. We need a consistent, unified voice. MiCHEP brings us together for a common cause."
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MiCHEP Member Program Director
Best practices
College personnel across every MiCHEP-member institution are working together with our MDOC partners to ensure that Michigan's incarcerated students receive a high quality college education in keeping with what is provided to main campus students. MiCHEP's Affinity Group Initiative, for example, is bringing approximately 150 people in similar roles from every MiCHEP member institution to discuss and problem-solve on behalf of their incarcerated students.
An early success of MiCHEP's best practices framework are the MiCHEP standards for library access and services. These standards — approved by the MiCHEP Steering Committee in June 2025 — are the fruit of a broad collaboration between main campus librarians, MDOC facility-based librarians, faculty, and MDOC Education Section partners. The three-layered "Good-Better-Best" standards are helping to elevate incarcerated students' educational experience in a way that makes their college education more like than unlike their main campus peers.
MiCHEP sets library
benchmarks for:​
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Standardized Titles
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Reference Services
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Book and Article Access
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Information Literacy Instruction
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Research Database Access
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Main Campus Library Catalog Access
