Michigan Colleges, Department of Corrections Convene for Statewide Prison Education Conference at Calvin
Graduates from the Calvin Prison Initiative's Class of 2026 sing in the Handlon Tabernacle Choir during their Commencement ceremony on May 21, 2026 at the Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility (MTU) in Ionia, Michigan.
One of west Michigan’s best returns on investment may be largely out of sight and out of mind. But, on Thursday, June 4, the significant impact of prison education will come into clearer focus at the “Michigan Higher Education in Prison Conference.”
Co-hosted by the Calvin Prison Initiative and the Michigan Consortium for Higher Education in Prison (MiCHEP), the conference, held at Calvin University, will bring together higher education and corrections leaders, staff, and incarcerated (via livestream) and formerly incarcerated individuals from across the state to share best practices for building and sustaining thriving learning communities.
Seeing significant ROI
According to the RAND Corporation, a nonprofit, nonpartisan global policy think tank and research institute that provides objective analysis and data-driven solutions for public sector decision-makers:
- For every $1 spent on prison education, taxpayers are saving $4 to $5.
- Incarcerated people who participate in any educational program while in prison are 43% less likely to return to prison once released.
“The statistics clearly show that offering education behind bars is a sound investment. But the impact goes well beyond dollars and cents,” says Lisa Schra, executive director of the Calvin Prison Initiative. “We’ve seen incarcerated individuals discovering a more purposeful use of their time. They are now stepping into roles as mentors and tutors – helping one another to grow and prepare to contribute meaningfully both inside prison and as returning citizens.”
Expanding access to education
By expanding access to education for incarcerated individuals, MiCHEP and Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) are aiming to continue to restore dignity, personal agency, and economic opportunity through higher education. Through this coordinated effort, Michigan is emerging as a leader in connecting higher education with prison reform efforts.
On May 21, 2026, Calvin University, Calvin Theological Seminary, and MDOC leaders joined together to celebrate CPI's Class of 2026.
“It’s exciting to be gathering at Calvin University this week – the same place where MiCHEP was officially launched in 2023,” said Jeff Abernathy, founding president of MiCHEP. “In just a few years, we’ve seen access to higher education expand significantly as institutions statewide partner with the Michigan Department of Corrections toward our shared vision of offering educational opportunities throughout the state.”
That growth is both significant and measurable. Today, 14 Michigan colleges operate programs in 15 correctional facilities, serving more than 1,300 incarcerated students, with another 3,000 prospective students on waiting lists.
Together, these efforts reflect a shared commitment among higher education institutions and the MDOC to expand educational opportunities as a pathway to rehabilitation, personal growth, and stronger communities.
Committed to building stronger partnerships
The one-day conference, held on June 4 from 8:30–3:30 p.m. at the Prince Conference Center, features plenary speakers and collaborative roundtable sessions designed to strengthen partnerships between colleges and corrections leaders. There are also interactive workshops tailored to both higher education institutions and corrections professionals.
A highlight of the conference will be a panel featuring incarcerated individuals speaking about their educational experiences and the personal impact of earning a college degree while in prison.
Additionally, formerly incarcerated graduates – including representatives from multiple facilities and programs – will lead a workshop and share firsthand perspectives on the role of education in reentry and transformation.
From reducing recidivism to creating safer communities to working to restore human dignity, this conference demonstrates the impact that access to higher education is having on incarcerated individuals and their broader communities.
About MiCHEP
The Michigan Consortium for Higher Education in Prison (MiCHEP) advocates for the power of higher education to improve the lives of incarcerated students and their communities, thereby benefiting corrections staff and Michigan taxpayers. MiCHEP believes that college-in-prison can restore personal agency, dignity, and economic opportunity for incarcerated students. A college education can help ensure successful reentry into society as informed and capable citizens committed to the common good. The Michigan Department of Corrections Education Section utilizes the Consortium as a policy advisor to coordinate higher education offerings in Michigan correctional facilities. For more information, visit michep.org.
About Calvin Prison Initiative
Established in 2015, the Calvin Prison Initiative (CPI) is a partnership between Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary that provides a Christian liberal arts education to incarcerated individuals at the Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility in Ionia, MI. To date, more than 100 men have graduated from the program with bachelor’s degrees. For more information, visit calvin.edu/prison-initiative.
