By Max Kenner Mr. Kenner is the founder and executive director of the Bard Prison Initiative at Bard College. A change taking place right now has the potential to do more good within U.S. prisons than any policy in a generation — good that will extend… Read More
Press Type: OpEds (Endorsements)
I’m in prison. I may never get to see my family again due to coronavirus
There is a mood of unease gripping the inmates. The unspoken fear is many of us will die alone in our cells without access to proper medical treatment On Friday, 13 March, a site director from the Bard Prison Initiative told me and other inmates… Read More
Op-Ed – Tuition assistance for inmates will reduce recidivism
By Stacy Burnett Opinon Contributor From 2008 to 2013, I learned 67 uses for state-issued toothpaste. I learned the lights never go out in solitary confinement, and I learned my son was calling a complete stranger "Mom." While I realized education was the best way to straighten… Read More
Op-Ed – The right to learn behind bars: Encouraging college in prison reduces recidivism and helps society
By Dyjuan Tatro Opinion Contributor The movement for criminal justice reform in New York has made some progress lately. The Legislature eliminated cash bail for most low-level offenses and passed broad discovery and speedy trial reforms. The governor has begun to grant clemency, albeit in a… Read More
Op-Ed – Access to higher ed for incarcerated students is essential to criminal justice reform
by Darren Mack Opinion Contributor As I walked across the stage this year to graduate with my MSW at Hunter College, I thought about the incarcerated people I’ve left behind — especially those who grew up in any of the seven communities where over 70 percent of… Read More
Op-Ed – Some of my proudest accomplishments happened in prison. How should I talk about them?
By Alexander Hall Opinion Contributor Alexander Hall is a housing associate with the Bard Prison Initiative. When my day begins with my phone buzzing 10 times in a row, it’s usually a bad sign. This time was different. My friends were going wild because a follow-up story… Read More
Op-Ed – Former incarcerated student: Society owes men and women in prison chance to return whole
PBS documentary shows how higher education helped me remove the shackles of incarceration. College degrees in prison can do the same for others. by Giovannie Hernandez Opinion Contributor I am choosing to publicly out myself as a convicted felon in this column. Let me tell you why.In… Read More
How to Level the College Playing Field
This time of year, there’s a lot of optimism in the air about college. As acceptance notices come in, it seems like the smartest, hardest-working young people with the greatest potential are being matched to institutions of higher learning that will prepare them for… Read More
Let Prisoners Learn While They Serve
Criminal justice officials across the country are struggling to break the recidivism cycle in which prisoners are released only to land right back behind bars. These prisoners are among the most poorly educated people in the country, and that fact holds the key to… Read More
Bard Prison Initiative Awards 30 Degrees at Woodbourne
WOODBOURNE >> The Bard Prison Initiative celebrated its 14th commencement at Woodbourne Correctional Facility, a medium-security prison for men, on June 11, when 30 students were awarded associate in arts degrees. U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, a Democrat of New York City, was the commencement speaker. Another… Read More