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Poster #44 - Expanding College in Prison in New York State – A Case Study from SUNY
Friday, November 14, 5:00 to 6:30pm, Property: Hyatt Regency Seattle, Floor: 7th Floor, Room: 710 - Regency BallroomAbstract
The Office of Higher Education in Prison within the State University of New York (SUNY HEP) contributes to SUNY’s mission of providing "the people of New York educational services of the highest quality, with the broadest possible access." SUNY prioritizes educational equity for incarcerated New Yorkers and works to achieve fair and inclusive access for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated persons to quality higher education programs during incarceration and upon release into the community. This paper offers a case study of SUNY’s expansion of college in prison programs in New York State and how partnerships have been key to that success.
As of Spring 2025, SUNY has 22 campuses currently offering SUNY degrees in 30 state prisons and one federal facility, serving over 1,000 students each year, making SUNY the largest college in prison provider in the state.
With robust community and nonprofit partnerships supporting SUNY’s work, and strong relationships with the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS), The City University of New York (CUNY), and other college campuses, SUNY aims to create and strengthen pathways that expand educational opportunities for students inside correctional facilities as well as those returning to their communities.
This paper will focus on SUNY’s work expanding access to college in prison programming, and the partnership with DOCCS, CUNY, private colleges, and community-based reentry providers that has made this expansion possible. It will also identify challenges to successful expansion, including maintaining program quality while also making sure that program standards do not inadvertently exclude participants. In light of a changing federal and higher education landscape, the paper will also examine SUNY’s plans for future partnerships in this space and offer recommendations for collaboration and partnerships to sustain and grow college in prison programming at the state level.