About Tennessee higher education initiative
Tennessee Higher Education Initiative: Providing College Access to Incarcerated Individuals
The Tennessee Higher Education Initiative (THEI) is a non-profit organization that aims to disrupt systems of harm and create opportunities for autonomy and success by providing college access to people inside Tennessee prisons. THEI believes that education is a powerful tool for personal growth, social mobility, and community transformation. By offering high-quality college courses and degree programs, THEI seeks to prepare incarcerated individuals for skillful re-entry into society, reduce recidivism rates, and promote positive change in the criminal justice system.
THEI was founded in 2014 as a partnership between the University of Tennessee-Knoxville (UTK) and the Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC). The initiative began with a pilot program at the Morgan County Correctional Complex, where UTK faculty members taught courses in English literature, history, sociology, psychology, mathematics, and other subjects. The program was well-received by both students and staff members at the prison. In 2015-16 academic year alone over 200 students were enrolled in classes offered through THEI.
Since then THEI has expanded its reach across multiple correctional facilities throughout Tennessee including Bledsoe County Correctional Complex; Turney Center Industrial Complex; Northwest Correctional Complex; Riverbend Maximum Security Institution; Trousdale Turner Correctional Center; West TN State Penitentiary.
THEI offers various educational programs such as Associate Degree Program which provides an opportunity for incarcerated individuals to earn an associate degree from Pellissippi State Community College or Nashville State Community College while serving their sentence. This program includes general education requirements as well as career-focused coursework such as business management technology or computer information technology.
In addition to associate degree programs THEI also offers certificate programs which are designed to provide specific job skills training that can lead directly into employment upon release from prison. These certificates include welding technology certification or HVAC certification among others.
THEI also provides a re-entry program that helps incarcerated individuals transition back into society after their release. This program includes job placement assistance, mentoring, and other support services to help former inmates succeed in their new lives outside of prison.
One of the key benefits of THEI's programs is that they are fully funded by private donations and grants. This means that incarcerated individuals do not have to pay for tuition or textbooks, which can be a significant barrier to education for many people in prison. By removing financial barriers to higher education, THEI is able to provide opportunities for personal growth and skill development that would otherwise be unavailable to many incarcerated individuals.
In addition to providing educational opportunities inside prisons, THEI also advocates for policy changes at the state level that would make higher education more accessible and affordable for all Tennesseans. For example, THEI supports legislation that would allow people with criminal records to access financial aid for college or university studies.
Overall, Tennessee Higher Education Initiative is an innovative organization working towards creating positive change in the criminal justice system by providing college access and reducing recidivism rates among incarcerated individuals. Through its various educational programs and re-entry services, THEI is helping people inside Tennessee prisons prepare themselves for successful futures beyond bars.