Vera Institute of Justice

Access to college in prison is transformational. Helping people who are incarcerated advance their education not only sets them up for success after release, but improves safety in our prisons and our communities. It also spurs the economic renewal of communities, and changes the educational trajectory of future generations. While once commonplace, access to college in prison was drastically reduced following passage of the 1994 Crime Bill.

The Underground Scholars Initiative (USI) at University of California—Berkeley helps formerly incarcerated students navigate higher education and find a community on campus. The documentary short From Incarceration to Education follows four members of USI through their struggles and successes at school.

Join us for a screening of the film and conversation with filmmaker Skylar Economy, Cornell University student Darnell Epps, and Vera Institute Program Associate Terrell Blount.