Second Chance College Program
On June 26, 2016, the University of Baltimore (UB) was selected to participate in the U.S. Department of Education’s Second Chance Pell Grant Experimental Sites Initiative. UB was among 67 other colleges/universities selected nationwide to offer a post-secondary correctional education program through federal Pell Grant funding. The objective is to provide post-secondary education to incarcerated students prior to release, therefore reducing likelihood of recidivism, and improving outcomes for educational and employment success.
UB’s program is being offered at Jessup Correctional Institution (JCI), a medium-security prison for men. As of the spring 2019 semester we have 43 students who will study toward a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services Administration degree, with an option to minor in entrepreneurship. UB has also developed a mentorship and tutoring program for the JCI students. Our mentors/tutors are incarcerated men at JCI who are active leaders and role models in the prison. Many of the mentors have a college education and are strongly committed to higher education.
UB’s program model will allow most students to begin their coursework at JCI and transition to UB once released. We believe it is an important reentry strategy to have students immediately attend classes at UB, while receiving support services to assist with their transition.
The Second Chance College Program director is Andrea Cantora, assistant professor in the School of Criminal Justice.
Download the Second Chance College Program fact sheet.
In the news...
- April 23, 2019: Why federal student aid should be restored for people in prison
- March 29, 2019: University of Baltimore Student Chris Wilson, Author of The Master Plan, Announces Scholarship Fund for Students in UB's Second Chance Program
- March 18, 2019: Teaching in America's prisons has taught me to believe in second chances
- Nov. 20, 2018: Prison education a proven investment
- Fall 2018: The Power of a Helping Hand
- April 5, 2018: Finding College by Way of Prison
- Oct. 18, 2016: Give Prisoners a Second Chance
- June 28, 2016: UB School of Criminal Justice Selected as Participant in National 'Second Chance' Program to Educate Incarcerated
- June 24, 2016: Prisoners to Get 'Second Chance Pell'
- June 24, 2016: 12,000 inmates to receive Pell grants to take college classes