The Need
The United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world, and California has the largest prison and jail systems in the country. Mass incarceration drains state budgets, depleting public resources that might otherwise be allocated to strengthen social safety nets and improve educational access and quality; it is also a significant generator of social inequality, contributing to the creation of a class of people permanently locked out of the opportunities of mainstream society, even well after release. Formerly incarcerated people face momentous obstacles to successful reentry, including barriers related to access to affordable housing, transportation, and gainful employment. They also face tremendous roadblocks in accessing the transformative power of higher education, which for many is the pathway to a more purposeful and prosperous life. While possessing knowledge, experience, and skill that stand to enrich the university community, formerly incarcerated students (and aspiring students) have uniquely urgent needs in navigating academic institutions, accessing the academic and student supports, and acquiring the soft skills and social capital necessary for academic and postgraduate success.