Northwestern Prison Education Program - NPEP

06/01/2026

Join us Thursday for Crime Fictions and Wrongful Convictions!

05/22/2026

Join NPEP grad James Soto tomorrow night as he narrates Frederic Rzewski’s “Coming Together,” a burning dive into the injustices of incarceration.

View livestream and purchase tickets here: https://www.music.northwestern.edu/events/contemporary-music-ensemble-8

05/21/2026

Join us May 29 for Short Films from the Inside, featuring seven micro-short films made within the walls of Sheridan Correctional Center, written, directed and acted by NPEP students.

05/15/2026

Congratulations to NPEP student Jason Gorham and all of the “Northwestern Insider” contributors for their Stillwater Awards, which recognize excellence in prison journalism!

05/12/2026

Join us for Community Hour May 30!

05/10/2026

This Mother’s Day, we celebrate the moms who attended NPEP graduation in April and those who were there in spirit.

05/06/2026

Join us May 14 for a screening of and panel discussion about “Just Like Us,” a documentary created by NPEP students.

04/23/2026

Join us April 30 for Community Hour!

04/14/2026

Congrats to our 2026 graduates; we're so proud of you!!

Less than three years after the Northwestern Prison Education Program’s inaugural class graduated in November 2023, a second cohort of incarcerated students received their bachelor’s degrees from Northwestern on Monday morning.  The graduates joined the 2023 cohort as the only people in the U.S...

04/12/2026

JABARI NICKS

Jabari Nicks is a writer, mentor, and advocate who uses education as a foundation for personal transformation and community impact.

In NPEP, Jabari distinguished himself through his thoughtful engagement and creative expression. Professor Michael Deas reflects on his experience in the classroom: “In my op-ed class, Jabari Nicks brought a strong desire to learn and a deep commitment to education, along with the courage to step outside of his comfort zone. He approached the course with curiosity, discipline, and a thoughtful perspective that enriched our class experience.” Deas also highlights Jabari’s work beyond the classroom, noting his book “The Agony & Ecstasy of Love,” which “reflects his creative voice and depth as both a poet and an author.” He adds that Jabari is “a man of principle whose dedication to growing personally and contributing positively to society has earned my respect.”

Jabari’s commitment to growth and service is also evident in the ways he connects his lived experience to the support of others. As Professor Baron Reed observes, “Jabari has a tremendous heart. He was an accomplished poet when he joined NPEP, and his concern for connecting with others, in art and in activism, has only deepened as he has pursued his education. He has become a philosopher in the best sense of the word, always asking not only what a philosophical perspective says but also what it means for how people live and love each other. Jabari’s commitment to allowing the heart to provide ballast for the head kept our philosophy class well balanced, and the emotional intelligence he has honed will undoubtedly be a gift to his community.”

Reflecting on his journey, Jabari shares, “I take pride in becoming a college graduate. It is especially meaningful to graduate from Northwestern University. This has been a dream of mine that was delayed, but not denied.” He is currently a member of Activating Change, a national council working to end the incarceration of individuals with disabilities and to challenge mass incarceration. Looking ahead, Jabari plans to use his degree to encourage, teach, and motivate youth in his community and across the nation.