For nearly fifteen years, the Bard Prison Initiative (BPI) has provided rigorous college education to incarcerated New Yorkers. The program, which is "highly acclaimed" and "widely emulated," according to the New York Times, is a national leader in rethinking American crises of justice and education. BPI programs in New York culminate in associate's and bachelor's degrees from Bard College, and its alumni are enrolled in graduate schools and work in the human services, with most never returning to prison. Across the country, BPI is at the forefront of efforts to restore the place of education within American prison systems and to compel colleges to reimagine college access. Max Kenner, founder and Executive Director of BPI, will give remarks and lead a discussion with Erica Mateo of the Brownsville Community Justice Center, Jule Hall and Joesph Williams -- three alumni of BPI. Introduction by Elizabeth Sackler. Video courtesy of the Elizabeth A. Sackler Foundation.
Part of the series "States of Denial: The Illegal Incarceration of Women, Children, and People of Color."