Illinois Central College Approved for First Prison Education Program Inside Federal Bureau of Prisons
(FBOP) - The Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) is pleased to announce Illinois Central College has been accepted and approved by the Department of Education for a Prison Education Program (PEP) at Federal Correctional Institution, Pekin, IL. This significant achievement grants the college authorization to establish a Pell Grant-eligible PEP for adults in custody to better ensure they are equipped with skills and knowledge necessary to reintegrate into society effectively through their proposed college degree path.
Dr. Amy Loyd, Assistant Secretary for the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education at the U.S. Department of Education, stated, "This marks a significant step forward in our shared commitment to expanding educational opportunities for all individuals, including those impacted by the justice system. By providing access to Pell grants for high-quality postsecondary education, we are empowering individuals who are incarcerated with the tools they need to rebuild their lives, contribute to their communities, and reduce recidivism. Prison education programs also increase the safety and improve the culture of our nation’s correctional facilities. This initiative underscores our belief that education is a fundamental right that can transform lives and strengthen our society as a whole."
Since the launch of the Second Chance Pell Pilot Program in 2015, the FBOP has offered Pell Grant funded college programs at 14 facilities with a total of 265 associate degrees, 16 bachelor’s degrees, and 18 certificates awarded. Since the reinstatement of the Federal Pell Grant in July 2023, the FBOP has actively built partnerships and collaborated with colleges and universities to offer degree programs in its institutions, with the PEP at Illinois Central College being the first to be approved.
Colette S. Peters, Director of the FBOP, stated, "Providing education opportunities while individuals are incarcerated, significantly reduces chances of a return to prison and helps individuals transition into the community successfully as good neighbors. We also know children are more likely to go to college or trade school when their parents do. This post-secondary education can create a legacy of academic participation that carries over forward to future generations and disrupts the intergenerational cycle of incarceration."
The FBOP understands one of the key factors to reentry success is education and continues to seek partnerships with colleges and universities to provide Pell Grant-eligible PEPs at each of their locations across the country.