Open Campus

We're an independent nonprofit covering higher education as a local story — embedding reporters in communities across America.

Right now

BRIEFINGS Workforce Pell

Practical intelligence for local leaders on the biggest change to financial aid in years.

Sign Up
DATA Certificate Earnings Explorer

See what people earned four years after getting a certificate at 5,600 different programs around the nation.

Explore the data

Journalism

  • Recent Reporting Independent coverage of higher ed across America
  • Community College Project Our new accountability reporting initiative focused on community colleges
  • Partner Newsrooms 20+ local newsrooms we collaborate with to strengthen coverage
  • Newsletters The Dispatch · College Inside · Mile Markers

For Partners and Readers

  • Become a Partner Newsroom Work with us to strengthen local higher ed coverage
  • News About Open Campus Updates on our newsroom, projects, hiring, and partnerships
  • Republish Our Work Guidelines for sharing Open Campus stories with your audience

About

  • About Open Campus Our mission, our model, our approach
  • Funding Our supporters
  • Editorial Independence How we keep coverage decisions separate from revenue
  • Team · Jobs · Contact
Donate
Skip to content
Open Campus

Open Campus

Higher ed is a local story

Donate

Higher Ed in Prisons

Posted inHigher Ed in Prisons

First Person: How I parent my college son while in prison

By Ryan MoserNovember 17, 2022November 18, 2022

Parenting from behind bars is like an air traffic controller trying to fly a plane from the ground — you can relay information, but you miss the hands-on experience that matters most.

Posted inHigher Ed in Prisons

Q&A: Bill Keller on rehabilitation and the waste of human potential

By Charlotte WestNovember 2, 2022November 3, 2022

Bill Keller, founding editor of the Marshall Project, talks with national reporter Charlotte West about his new book, “What’s Prison For?”.

Posted inHigher Ed in Prisons

Two lifers on the role of college in prison: ‘I found a new habit. Education.’

By Rahsaan "New York" ThomasOctober 20, 2022October 20, 2022

New York Thomas and Suave Gonzalez talk about fighting the system and the role of education in prison when you think you’re never getting out.

Posted inHigher Ed in Prisons

Education often plays a big role in clemency decisions. Should it?

By Charlotte WestJuly 14, 2022September 14, 2022

Johnny Pippins has already completed a master’s degree from prison. To pursue a Ph.D., he needs Illinois’ governor to let him out early.

Posted inHigher Ed in Prisons

The last class, 28 years later

John CorleyBy Charlotte West and John CorleyJune 15, 2022June 15, 2022

What happened to the last of the Pell Grant-funded prison higher ed graduates and their paralegal skills?

Posted inHigher Ed in Prisons

First Person: Prison programs don’t quench the thirst for higher education

By Khalil A. ScottJune 1, 2022June 2, 2022

Prison education programs designed to teach life skills and heal trauma sell young people short if they don’t include college offerings.

Posted inHigher Ed in Prisons

Student loan defaults are a big barrier to prison education. The government is offering new help.

By Charlotte West and Ryan MoserApril 26, 2022April 28, 2022

The Education Department announced that it will bring defaulted loans into good standing, which could significantly expand access.

Posted inHigher Ed in Prisons

A second chance for a juvenile lifer

By Charlotte WestApril 6, 2022April 14, 2022

A Q&A with Andrew Hundley, who was sentenced to life in prison at 15, about prison cowboys and the value of education behind the bars.

Posted inHigher Ed in Prisons

First Person: ‘I wonder about comeback stories. Danny’s might be one.’

By Nicholas BrooksMarch 22, 2022March 22, 2022

Danny’s journey was not like mine. It took almost nine years and nine different prisons — violence, solitary, violence, solitary — before he would enroll in a college program.

Posted inHigher Ed in Prisons

Pursuing a Ph.D. from prison

By Charlotte WestFebruary 22, 2022February 22, 2022

Two years ago Brandon Brown became the first person to earn a graduate degree while incarcerated in the state of Maine. Here’s how he ended up in a doctoral program.

Posts pagination

Newer posts 1 … 6 7 8 9 Older posts

A cooperative model for in-depth reporting

Open Campus partners with local newsrooms to deliver expert coverage of higher ed for communities.


Sign up to get our weekly newsletter


Latest local highlights

UTA polling site’s absence raises voting access concerns in central Arlington
Fort Worth

UTA polling site’s absence raises voting access concerns in central Arlington

Scholarship delays hit recently expanded CUNY community college program
New York City

Scholarship delays hit recently expanded CUNY community college program

Most N.C. community college student IDs are not approved for voting in midterms
Community Colleges

Most N.C. community college student IDs are not approved for voting in midterms

Open Campus

Empowering communities with independent information about higher ed.

Get The Dispatch →

Journalism

  • Recent Reporting
  • Local Network
  • Newsletters
  • News About Open Campus

Work With Us

  • Become a Partner Newsroom
  • Community College Project
  • Republish Our Work

Organization

  • About
  • Team
  • Funding
  • Editorial Independence
  • Jobs
  • Contact

© 2026 Open Campus Media. A nonprofit newsroom.

  • Privacy
  • Have a tip?