Part Three: Where is prison education now?

By Anna Kezar

Ivy Tech Community College began its contract as the primary education partner with the Indiana Department of Corrections in 2021.

Although only a remnant of what was offered previously, Ivy Tech’s programs include Adult Basic Education, General Education Development and vocational certifications.

Ivy Tech employs 140 staff members across the state who provide educational services in every Indiana state prison. Each prison has a site manager, administrative staff, licensed teachers and vocational workplace specialists. Special education services are also offered for those with learning accommodations. There are English Language Learning programs as well.

Vocational programs include coding, welding, culinary arts, building trades, logistics, horticulture, automotive technologies, RV technologies, business technology, barbering and cosmetology.

The intention is that incarcerated individuals will apply the credits earned while incarcerated to complete their degrees through Ivy Tech once they are released.

“Our goal is to help them get a GED or complete a vocational certification that they will be able to use when they get out,” Amber Finnegan, state director of correctional education at Ivy Tech, said. “We want them to be connected with Ivy Tech to get the tools to go down a different path.”

Ivy Tech strives to have 750 GED completions and 1,800 vocational certificate completions annually and to help 5,600 people through secondary and vocational programs.

Teachers Share Value of Education

Erica Coulter teaches ABE and GED courses at Madison Correctional Facility, an all-female prison in Madison, Ind.

She took the job two years ago after being impressed by the students on her first visit to the facility – something that has continued during her time teaching.

“They were working really hard and they were talking about math, and they were talking about science,” Coulter said. “I was like, ‘Wow, these people are really dedicated.’”

Coulter instructs a maximum of 20 students in math, science, social studies and language arts.

Many of Coulter’s students haven’t received more than a ninth grade education, she said, and the education they did complete wasn’t happy or constructive.

“My hope is that I’ve given them a positive educational experience,” Coulter said.

Her most rewarding moments are when her students pass their GED tests.

“Almost every one of them, even the most stoic person that I think would never cry, cries because they are so happy,” Coulter said. “It’s amazing to feel like I’m a small part of that accomplishment.”

The education accomplishments of the students extend beyond themselves. The women are motivated to be examples and inspirations to their children, according to Coulter.

“It’s impactful not only for their lives, but the lives of their families,” Coulter said.

Coulter realizes education has an impact on everyone.

“I think it's important for people to know how meaningful these programs are for the people that they serve,” Coulter said. “I think it’s important for everybody to take that into account when they’re voting for officials or working or hiring … Think about these solutions for helping give people a better chance when they leave prison.”

An Ivy Tech graduate at Madison Correctional Facility receives her diploma. Photo Credit: Ivy Tech Madison

Hank Cecil teaches building trades at the all-male New Castle Correctional Facility in New Castle, Ind. Cecil has taught in prisons for 13 years. Previously, he was a construction worker and then a corrections officer at New Castle.

His classes meet twice a day, five days a week, with two classroom days and two shop days. The skills of the students range from years of experience to having never picked up a screwdriver. To benefit everyone’s learning, Cecil pairs an experienced student with a less experienced one.

“When you see them get that ‘aha moment’ that they can actually do something, it’s very rewarding,” Cecil said.

After completion of the six-month, 400-hour training, students receive a National Career Readiness certificate which is valid and can be applied to trade jobs in any state. The certification reduces the four-year apprenticeship program through the Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters by six months.

“It gives them a leg up once they get out to hit the road running in their field,” Cecil said.

One of the main goals of providing vocational programs in prisons is to supply workers in fields with labor shortages. It also gives completers of the programs employment with liveable wages and advancement opportunities.

“I think it’s the best vocational program that we offer right now,” Cecil said. “I’m honored to be doing this.”

New Pell Possibilities

The Second Chance Pell Grant is an initiative of the U.S. Department of Education that allows incarcerated individuals to receive funding for post-secondary education. The program was launched experimentally in 2015 with a select number of participating educational institutions, including Holy Cross College and University of Notre Dame’s Moreau College at Westville Correctional Facility in Westville, Ind. In 2024, Pell was nationally reinstated.

“It’s one of the largest fundings for social improvement in probably our lifetime,” Patrick Callahan, director of adult education and training for the Indiana Department of Corrections, said. “The amount of money that is being freed up for a population that is oftentimes out of the way, unrecognized, not thought about, not considered … for the federal government to free up all of that funding for the purpose of bettering individuals.”

Amanda Harsin, chancellor, oversees Ivy Tech’s campus in Madison and its contract with the IDOC, including Pell implementation.

“Many incarcerated individuals are looking forward to having access to this,” Harsin said. “It’s important that we work together to provide them access.”

There are currently two Pell-funded post-secondary programs in Indiana state prisons. Moreau College and Bard College at Indiana Women’s Prison in Indianapolis both offer associate and bachelor’s degrees. About 175 individuals are enrolled in these programs.

“What we have is a shadow of what we had, but it’s still vitally important,” Callahan said. “And with the expansion of Pell, hopefully we can build up those programs into something to meet a demand and a need and that are some of the best in the country.”

Indiana was one of the first states to implement Pell. It is a long and time-consuming process to gain approval for Pell programs, often taking up to two years.

First an application must be submitted and approved by the IDOC. Then the program must receive accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. Then the program must be approved by the U.S. Department of Education, which requires an agreement with the IDOC.

Finally there is a two-year review period in which the program is assessed for effectiveness. The indicators by which the programs will be evaluated are uncertain.

This process must be completed by every individual program under Pell.

Ivy Tech currently has two pending proposals for Pell-eligible programs – automotive technology at Putnamville Correctional Facility and business technology at Madison. These are part of the initiative to secure Pell eligibility for programs that provide training for high-demand fields. If approved, these programs will be the first college-level, Pell-eligible programs for Ivy Tech.

The programs have been approved by the Higher Learning Commission but are pending approval by the U.S. Department of Education.

Callahan anticipates that the next round of Pell program proposal submissions will be in August 2025.

“This freeing up of Pell, if appropriately managed and appropriately applied, I think has the potential to be just truly transformative,” Callahan said.