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The Prison Education Program at the University of Oregon

The Prison Education Program was established in 2016, founded in response to an expansion from the Inside-Out classes that began at the UO in 2007. We are now active in offering classes, not-for-credit opportunities, and in working to advance educational opportunities for people who are incarcerated statewide. 

In addition to offering for-credit classes inside the prisons, we also have a variety of not-for-credit activities, including:

  • Book discussions, including bilingual discussions conducted in Spanish and English

  • Academic workshops, including academic writing and communication skills

  • A UO student internship and “alumni” program – students are involved in assisting with classes, running a discussion group at a juvenile facility, holding outreach events with at-risk youth, and running book drives to support prison education.

  • Educational TV programming sent to all Oregon institutions through PEP TV

  • Learning, Engagement, and Activities Packets (LEAP) and correspondence for people in special housing units  
  • Lectures by UO faculty on a wide variety of subjects

  • Coordinated engagement between clubs at OSP and corresponding clubs at the UO

  • On-campus an inside exhibitions of artwork by insiders donated to the program 

  • Book donations to multiple prisons, including special requests from staff at the prisons for particular subject areas and Spanish language materials

We work in an interdisciplinary academic framework, and with a broad range of students, campus organizations, community groups, and national organizations working to improve educational opportunities in prisons.

Donate to Ducks Give on May 15th

The PEP is participating in Ducks Give on May 15th. This day-long donation drive is an importance source of funding for our programming and includes challenge gifts if we can fundraise a certain amount. Please consider donating on May 15th and sharing with your...

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Alumni Spotlight: Kyle

Alumni Spotlight: Kyle

Kyle’s involvement with the Prison Education Program has been nothing short of transformative. What began by taking a course during his incarceration has evolved into a lifelong commitment to advocacy, community building, and a passion for reshaping the way we think...

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Spring 2025 Inside-Out Courses

This spring, we are offering two Inside-Out courses. Autobiography as Political Agency with Anita Chari is a Honor’s College course, and Shaul Cohen is teaching Divided Societies, a Geography course. Full descriptions and the application link can be found here....

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Sponsors Inc. Partnership

Sponsors Inc. Partnership

Aside from courses, the PEP has been deepening our relationship with Sponsors Inc., Inc.- an organization supporting formerly incarcerated adults in the Eugene area. In 2023, PEP interns started visiting Sponsors, Inc. every week to offer drop-in technological support...

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JAG Grant

The PEP is excited to share that we have received a grant through the Justice Assistance Grant program of the federal Department of Justice and the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission. This funding is incredibly impactful for our work. It will cover some costs...

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Fall Inside-Out Course Spotlight

Fall Inside-Out Course Spotlight

During fall term, the PEP operated in both the Oregon State Penitentiary and Oregon State Correctional Institution to offer two inside-out courses and two inside courses. We had a total of 72 inside students during the term. One of our courses, Mercy and the Rule of...

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