CU Denver hosts higher ed in prison leaders at conference

CU Denver was host site for the recent Colorado Conference on Higher Education in Prison, a daylong gathering of more than 150 leaders in the field.

Stephen Hartnett, professor in the Department of Education and director of the CU Denver Prison Education Program (PEP), said attendance at the Jan. 30 conference more than tripled compared to last year’s inaugural event. It was hosted by PEP and the Colorado Coalition for Higher Education in Prison.

Besides professionals from across Colorado, the conference drew higher education in prison leaders from California, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin. Attendees also included 11 formerly incarcerated speakers who are now community leaders. Three incarcerated speakers appeared from prison via Zoom.

“I am so proud of the ways our CU Denver community has rallied to support the cause of higher education in prison,” Hartnett said. “The key thing to remember is that offering college to incarcerated students is also about reimagining the roles our campus plays in our community life.

“As the conference demonstrated, our community is miraculously diverse yet united in our commitment to advancing social justice. As our incarcerated and formerly incarcerated speakers testified, everyone deserves a second chance and, when given the opportunity, is capable of giving back to the community in powerful and beautiful ways.”