Michigan Consortium for Higher Education in Prison

The Michigan Consortium for Higher Education in Prison, or MiCHEP, was established to improve the lives of incarcerated people by preparing them to successfully reenter society through opportunities to earn college degrees and certificates. By helping this population to become well-informed and capable citizens who are ready to contribute to the workforce, we build stronger communities. Additionally, higher education in prison has been shown to reduce recidivism, which saves taxpayers money and reduces the workload of correctional officers and other prison staff.

Strategies

MiCHEP seeks to:

• Improve the college in prison system by sharing resources, encouraging best practices, and offering technical assistance between member institutions.
• Work collaboratively with the Michigan Department of Corrections to identify gaps in programs, help review new college in prison program applications, improve data collection and dissemination related to incarcerated students, and provide other insights as needed.
• Create leaders within the incarcerated population who can serve as academic tutors, peer mentors, hospice workers, or other needed support roles.
• Ensure that after incarceration, participants are well equipped to help other incarcerated or at-risk individuals by working with social service providers, re-entry assistance programs, or other community-based organizations.
   

MCAN and MiCHEP

MCAN supports MiCHEP as it continues to grow into a self-sustaining institution. Our support includes advising MiCHEP on policy recommendations that align with statewide education goals, collaborating on the design and delivery of programmatic initiatives and professional learning opportunities, and offering strategic communication support to strengthen their outreach and engagement. In addition, we serve as MiCHEP’s fiduciary, managing financial responsibilities and ensuring compliance with funding requirements.

MiCHEP at a Glance →
MiCHEP Website →

For more information, contact Richard Ray, co-director emeritus of the Hope-Western Prison Education Program, or Patrick Brown, MCAN's director of adult student attainment strategy.