Second Chance Education
Programs focused on expanding educational
opportunities for those in prison are designed to help reduce recidivism and increase employment post-release.
Innovative Options
Currently, around 86% of people who are incarcerated lack
postsecondary education. Restore Hope has strategic partnerships with several community colleges to deliver second chance education opportunities in prison and after release.​
1
In Arkansas, Michael Leach, Education Director for Restore Hope, leads a Second Chance Pell ESI program through Southeast Arkansas College at the Cummins, Delta, and Varner units. The program started with 30 students in Fall 2022 and now enrolls over 100 students.
2
For students who have not yet completed a degree when they leave prison, the
program provides assistance with enrolling in and transferring credits to postsecondary institutions, including assistance in filing college admissions applications, financial aid forms, and links to post-release student support services on campus, such as tutoring and scholarship information.