In the news: Higher education in prison
June 17, 2026
Lakeland inmates earn KCC degrees
WTVB
Twenty-three incarcerated men at Lakeland Correctional Facility celebrated a major academic milestone last week, as they became the first cohort to earn business degrees and certificates from Kellogg Community College. The milestone ceremony mirrored traditional commencements by featuring caps and gowns, speeches, and a walk across the stage in front of visiting family and friends.
June 5, 2026
Michigan prison education programs draw statewide leaders as demand far outpaces availability
Spectrum News
More than 150 higher education and corrections leaders gathered at Calvin University in Grand Rapids Thursday for a statewide conference focused on expanding college programs inside Michigan prisons — an effort organizers say is transforming lives, reducing crime and saving taxpayers millions.
June 4, 2026
Michigan prison education leaders celebrate progress in higher education programs
MLive
Michigan leaders in prison education met to discuss strategies for expanding post-secondary education within the state’s prison system at the Michigan Higher Education in Prison Conference Thursday, June 4, where officials highlighted significant growth and record-low recidivism rates. The gathering brought together representatives from the Michigan Department of Corrections and 14 post-secondary partner institutions.
June 4, 2026
MDOC and Michigan Consortium for Higher Education in Prison Members Discuss Success and Next Steps
State of Michigan Department of Corrections
MDOC Director Heidi E. Washington spoke today at the Michigan Higher Education in Prison Conference where Michigan leaders in prison education gathered to discuss strategies to further post-secondary education initiatives within Michigan’s state prison system. Conference highlights and program information showcase the efficacy and impact of Michigan's prison education programs.
June 2, 2026
Michigan Colleges, Department of Corrections Convene for Statewide Prison Education Conference at Calvin
Calvin News
On Thursday, June 4, the significant impact of prison education will come into clearer focus at the “Michigan Higher Education in Prison Conference.” Co-hosted by the Calvin Prison Initiative and MiCHEP, the conference will bring together higher education and corrections leaders, staff, and incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals from across the state to share best practices for building and sustaining thriving learning communities.
May 28, 2026
Michigan Consortium for Higher Education in Prison announces founding president
Soo Leader
The Michigan Consortium for Higher Education in Prison (MiCHEP) has appointed Jeff Abernathy as the organization’s founding president. Jeff Abernathy brings executive leadership, coalition-building, fundraising and a student-centered commitment to building durable statewide infrastructure for college-in-prison programs to the role
May 13, 2026
The Metro: He served 23 years. Now he’s helping the next generation earn a degree behind bars
WDET | Detroit Public Radio
Twenty-five incarcerated men at Macomb Correctional Facility have started working toward a Wayne State bachelor’s degree. It’s paid for by federal aid Congress had blocked for nearly 30 years. We asked Jonathan Roden — who served 23 years himself — whether it changes who walks out.
April 22, 2026
Build pathways home: Why Michigan’s college-in-prison expansion matters now
Michigan Advance
Higher education prison is a public good, one that strengthens families, communities, and the workforce. Opportunities arise for individuals who go through these programs, helping them better their lives and their communities. That’s why Michigan’s moment right now matters so much. The public conversation often treats education in prison as a debate about whether people “deserve” it. This framing misses the point and lets systems’ off the hook. The better question is whether Michigan is serious about building communities where more people come home ready to contribute, provide, and thrive.
April 1, 2026
WMU Program Goes to Prison
Encore Magazine
The Higher Education for the Justice-Involved (HEJI) program at Western Michigan University is the brainchild of Dale Brown, whose Ph.D. dissertation research focused on the transformative and humanizing power of higher education for people who are or have been incarcerated. This article explores the program through the eyes of students and staff involved in it.
April 1, 2026
More Michigan prisoners than ever are getting educations, job training
Bridge Michigan
Nearly 4,000 Michigan inmates completed educational and vocational programs last year, up from 2,400 in 2020. The state is offering more courses in an attempt to lower recidivism and set returning citizens up for success. Vocational programs include welding, robotics, auto repair, and truck driving. The state also partners with colleges.