Prison Education Initiative
The Prison Education Initiative (PEI) is an educational program, non-profit designation, and internship opportunity at the University of Idaho that seeks to meet the scholastic needs of incarcerated students at the Idaho Correctional Institution-Orofino and the Pocatello Women's Correctional Center.
The PEI currently offers three degree programs for incarcerated students: communication, general studies, and organizational science. The PEI also coordinates community events, such as art shows and fundraisers, to raise awareness about the initiative and provide financial support to incarcerated students. In addition, it offers for-credit internship opportunities for non-incarcerated students. The internship operates on a flexible timeline, and tasking caters to the specific interests of the intern.
PEI Degree Offerings
The Benefits of Education for Incarcerated Individuals
For over a decade, I had daydreamed about getting out of prison and going back to college. While I still live in prison, I am now attending college and it is a dream come true. When I do finally leave prison, I will do it with a college degree, far more prepared to restart my life. PEI Participant
Access to higher education is a valuable resource and one that is highly beneficial to both incarcerated people and their communities. Through education, incarcerated individuals have the opportunity to learn, expand their skills, and better prepare to re-enter the world beyond bars.
Following release, partaking in education while in prison has been found to drastically reduce recidivism. One study following 404,638 previously incarcerated individuals found that recidivism rates for those who had participated in college in prison programs were reduced by 43%, according to the Vera Institute of Justice. Other studies from the Prison Policy Initiative have found that incarcerated people who participate in educational programs had higher rates of employment following release, as well as higher wages.
Education in the prison serves to bring only good to both the residents of prisons, and subsequently, all they may encounter upon re-entry.
Program FAQ
The Prison Education Initiative (PEI) is a University of Idaho program that is focused on helping incarcerated students further their college education through three separate bachelor’s degree programs. Currently, we offer degrees in Communication (B.A./B.S.), General Studies (B.G.S.) and Organizational Sciences (B.S.).
University of Idaho works with the United States Department of Education’s Pell Grant to help cover the costs of tuition for incarcerated students. The PEI also has a nonprofit funding line through the U of I Foundation to cover expenses outside of tuition, such as transcript fees and textbook costs.
U of I students may apply for the PEI Internship. Community members are welcome to participate in any of our community events, including the Beyond the Wire art show.
Interested incarcerated students should contact their prison educator at the Robert Janss School within their facility for application information.
We service two Idaho Department of Corrections facilities: Idaho Correctional Institution – Orofino (ICIO) and the Pocatello Women’s Correctional Center (PWCC).
Donations are accepted online or through mail to the U of I Foundation. For information on the donation process and options, please visit the U of I Giving website.
To donate online today, please visit U of I’s GiveCampus page. Please note, you must specify the PEI Fund as your designation.
Opportunities to donate are also offered at our community events, including Beyond the Wire art show.
