Corrections Department report: reentry programs help bring repeat offender rate to new low

A Michigan Department of Corrections report says the rate of repeat offenders and parole violators being returned to state prisons is at an all-time low. Stepped-up support services, like job training and post-high school education, appear to play a role.

'Pioneers’: Nine inmates become first graduates of groundbreaking program from Hope, WTS

From joining a non-credit pilot program in 2019 to officially starting their degrees in 2021 to completing the program this year, the first cohort of students in the Hope-Western Prison Education Program have come far. Now, after a ceremony June 25 at the Muskegon Correctional Facility, they are officially graduates.

This week, Thumb Correctional Facility and Mott Community College celebrated the graduation of 16 students

Thumb Correctional Facility and Mott Community College celebrated the graduation of 16 students, with special guest Larry Miller, Chairman of the Jordan Brand Advisory Board at Nike and and former president of the NBA Portland Trail Blazers speaking at the commencement.

Senate Heeds Call to Protect Pell

Late last night, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee released its reconciliation bill. In contrast to the House version, this bill does not make major, detrimental changes to Pell. Protecting and strengthening the Pell Grant program was the National College Attainment Network's (NCAN) highest priority in this process, and NCAN members delivered effective and powerful grassroots advocacy.

A Milestone Achievement

On April 28, 2025, the Hope-Western Prison Education Program celebrated a milestone achievement of one of its students. Carlos Garcia (Class of 2025) earned the distinguished honor of being inducted into the Hope College chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest honor society. In a ceremony at Muskegon Correctional Facility, Dr. James Allis, Hope College professor and member of Phi Beta Kappa, marked the celebratory occasion in the presence of HWPEP students, staff and corrections administrators.

Behind bars yet full of purpose: Dreaming bigger through Calvin Prison Initiative

A decade in, the program has been a resounding success. And, as intended, the program isn't just changing prison culture inside the fences at Handlon Correctional Facility in Ionia, Michigan, it's having ripple effects throughout prisons statewide.

Second Chance Month 2025 - Nick Nichols

20 years ago, Nick was incarcerated and without direction for his life. Today he is a founder and co-executive director of his own nonprofit that assists individuals paroled on the west side of the state.

Calvin Prison Initiative helps unlock a calling behind bars

Shane Browning discusses his upbringing, struggles with hope, and his journey to forgiveness while serving a life sentence at Kinross Correctional Facility. His participation in the eighth cohort in the Calvin Prison Initiative Program was instrumental in this journey.

Viewpoint: Put higher ed in prisons

Participating in high-quality, workforce-aligned postsecondary education during and after incarceration provides the best chance for preparing such individuals to successfully re-enter their communities, avoid recidivism, and achieve economic mobility.

Hope-Western Prison Education Program | Overview

The Hope-Western Prison Education Program provides a bachelor of arts degree in Faith, Leadership, & Service to incarcerated students at Muskegon Correctional Facility. The program is a partnership between Hope College, Western Theological Seminary, and the Michigan Department of Corrections. Launched in 2019, the program equips students to live lives of leadership and service in their community, whether inside or outside the prison context.