Virginia Consensus for Higher Education in Prison

02/22/2026

We grieve deeply with so many friends and colleagues in the justice reform community the painful and tragic loss of Sincere Allah on February 13th. Among many other fundamental issues of justice for incarcerated Virginians, Sincere advocated for equitable educational access as a member of the Virginia Consensus for Higher Education in Prison, most recently serving on the Sustainability working group.

In 2024, Sincere was the opening speaker at the inaugural event of the Consensus, describing how he and other men at Augusta Correctional Center had reached out to nearby Washington and Lee University seeking college classes, which arrived in 2016–an early educational first, with mixed classes of campus and Incarcerated students earning college credits in a class together held behind bars.

We recognize Sincere’s legacy with profound gratitude. We remember his humble personal generosity in the work, and we will endlessly miss the joy of his friendship and presence among us.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVD04gCDm66/?igsh=YXA4N2I2e

08/26/2025

With Pell Grant eligibility restored for incarcerated students in 2023, Virginians can now come home from prison with a college diploma in hand. At our Building Consensus conference, experts from the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and REFORM Alliance broke down how Pell, accreditation and compliance can work together to unlock this opportunity.

Understanding Pell Grants in Prison Education Jul 29 Written By Terri Erwin Pell grants help Americans with lower incomes pay for college. Restoring eligibility for Pell grants in 2023 for applicants who are incarcerated opened the door to real opportunities for attainment of postsecondary degrees b...

08/20/2025

Dr. Felicia Ganther from Virginia’s Community College System and Chad Dotson from Virginia Department of Corrections took the stage during our Building Consensus conference to talk about progress and opportunities when it comes to higher education programs in state prisons. Learn more about efforts to expand education access in Viginia’s prisons:

Virginia Wants to Be the National Leader in Correctional Education Jul 28 Written By Terri Erwin Pictured from left to right: Dr. Felicia Ganther, Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Workforce Services at the Virginia Community College System & Chadwick Dotson, Director, Virginia Department of C...

08/18/2025

Justice-impacted advocates Anthony Gomez and Elizabeth Shatswell spoke at our Building Consensus conference in July. They encouraged employers to consider skills achieved from lived experience and second chances when making hiring decisions. Read more here https://brnw.ch/21wUZOA.

Professionals Highlight Grit and Resilience in Formerly Incarcerated Community Jul 29 Written By Terri Erwin Anthony Gomez and Elizabeth Shatswell want employers to consider skills achieved from lived experience, second chances and grit when making hiring decisions. When organizations do, they end u...

08/14/2025

The U.S. is facing a major worker shortage and employers have a largely untapped opportunity. Economist and author Jeffrey Korzenik made a powerful case for second chance hiring at our Building Consensus conference, showing the benefits of hiring people with criminal records. His keynote, backed by data and real stories, left the room inspired. Read more here https://brnw.ch/21wUVsI.

Jeff Korzenik on Unlocking Talent Through Second Chance Hiring Jul 29 Written By Terri Erwin The United States faces a shortfall of millions of workers in the current and coming decades, and while there isn’t a singular solution to the trend, companies and communities have a largely untapped oppor...

08/01/2025

We’re still buzzing from the success of our inaugural “Building Consensus” conference on July 17! Around 130 participants from business, higher ed, government and corrections assembled to explore second chance employment and the impact of higher education in prison. Check out some photos captured by Divine By Design Photography and Graphics and learn more about this event here https://www.vchep.org/building-consensus-july-17-2025.

We’re already looking forward to next year’s conference!

06/09/2025

Education started with a letter from prison.

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Prison Entrepreneurship ProjectGregory Fairchild teaches strategic ...

05/23/2025

Education has the power to transform lives, and for Julie Little, an Associate Professor at Rappahannock Community College, that transformation takes place within the walls of Haynesville Correctional Facility. Teaching general biology in a prison setting presents a unique set of challenges, but Professor Little’s creativity, resilience, and dedication to her students have allowed her to navigate these obstacles and create meaningful learning experiences. Read more about Professor Little’s work to expand access to education in prison: https://www.vchep.org/blog/julielittle

05/21/2025

Every day, more than 1,000 people are released from state and federal prison. Opportunities to access higher education in prison gives these individuals a better chance when returning to society.

05/19/2025

Elizabeth Shatswell has a vivid memory of the day it hit her – the day she realized that there was a big world out there beyond the life she’d known. Beyond her old neighborhood. Beyond the prison cell that had become her home since she was 17.

Read more about how higher education gave Elizabeth a new trajectory:

Voices of Virginia Consensus: Elizabeth Shatswell’s Journey of Transformation Through Education May 12 Written By Terri Erwin Elizabeth Shatswell, Correctional Education Manager, JSTOR Labs Elizabeth Shatswell has a vivid memory of the day it hit her – the day she realized that there was a big w...