AWC expands Prison Education Program to offer associate degrees
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona Western College (AWC) is expanding its Prison Education Program (PEP), creating a pathway for incarcerated individuals at the Arizona State Prison Complex – Yuma to earn an associate degree and prepare for life after incarceration.
The expansion comes through a partnership between AWC and the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry, building on more than 20 years of certificate programs offered to incarcerated students.
“We want to give them a path towards a degree,” AWC President Dr. Reetika Dhawan said. “So this collaboration means now we can offer in our local prison associates degrees. What this means is we can invest in the incarcerated population. We give them a second chance to rebuild their life.”
The Prison Education Program includes an on-site program manager and online courses developed by AWC faculty.
Educational tablets also allow course materials to be delivered directly to incarcerated students, giving them access to curriculum while inside the facility.
The coursework is designed to provide students with accredited credentials and workforce-ready skills, with credits that can transfer to Arizona’s state universities.
Dr. Ryan Thornell, Director of the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry, said expanding access to education behind bars can play an important role in helping individuals successfully return to their communities.
“One thing that’s really important for the community to really understand is the power of education inside of a prison setting, right?” Dr. Thornell said. “We talk a lot about reducing recidivism and helping people not return to prison. This is tangibly how we do that, right? Every time we put somebody in a classroom, every time we teach them something new, we help them when they return into our local communities.”
AWC says the program is part of a broader effort to promote student success, reduce barriers to higher education and create more opportunities for individuals reentering their communities.
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