A closeup of a student working at their desk

We are committed to transforming the meaning and impact of higher education in Massachusetts by making college education more accessible to people who are incarcerated.

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  • A graduate of the College in Prison program during their commencement ceremony, dressed in regalia

    College in Prison

    The Emerson Prison Initiative provides a pathway to an Emerson College Bachelor’s degree via in-person college classes at MCI-Norfolk prison.
  • two people smiling for a picture

    Reentry and College Outside Program (RECOUP)

    EPI’s Reentry and College Outside Program (RECOUP) provides our returning students with reentry support services including college continuity resources.
  • A group photo of EPI leadership, administrators, faculty, and graduating students

    Commencement 2025

    Emerson College held its second commencement ceremony in prison in 2025, to award Bachelor’s degrees to Cohort Two students who had fulfilled degree requirements.
  • A row of panelists during the Emerson Prison Initiative conference in 2025

    EPI Alumni in the News

    Program graduates go on to make great contributions to our communities, some of which are captured in the news media.
  • Mneesha Gellman addressing the audience at the 2025 Emerson Prison Initiative commencement ceremony

    Who We Are

    The Emerson Prison Initiative is led and administered by a team of college faculty and staff, with courses taught by faculty from Emerson, as well as other local colleges.
  • Our language guidelines identify people as people first, not solely defined by their carceral experience.

    Language Guidelines

    Our language guidelines identify people as people first, not solely defined by their carceral experience.
  • Person using laptop

    Contact Us

    Contact the Emerson Prison Initiative.
 

Photo Credits: Karen Pearson, Daniel Pedan, Derek Palmer