Transformative Education Behind Bars

This chapter explores the Bard Prison Initiative, a program established in 1999 that provides liberal arts education to inmates in U.S. prisons. It discusses the challenges of securing funding, attracting faculty, and the emotional impact of education on incarcerated individuals, illustrating the profound personal changes that can occur through learning. Additionally, the chapter addresses the ethical considerations and societal implications of providing higher education to those who have committed serious crimes, highlighting the broader conversation about rehabilitation and the role of education in the justice system.