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 about education, both inside and outside of prisons.
For over a decade while inside Oregon prisons, he was told that education was not an option for him, due to the length of his sentence. However, the Prison Education Program was different. Our courses are not restricted by degree limitations nor length of sentence, making them accessible to incarcerated individuals like Kyle. His first class was through the University of Oregon’s Clark Honors College, where he studied juvenile delinquency. This proved to be an eye-opening experience. After taking a few more classes, including one on Northern Ireland’s history and conflict, Kyle became deeply invested in the P.E.P. He participated in monthly meetings with the program’s steering committee inside the Oregon State Penitentiary, which worked to expand access to education and raise awareness about its importance in both prison and community settings. Additionally, Kyle is graduating this term from the University of Oregon with a Bachelors degree in Crime, Law, and Policy.The P.E.P.’s role as a think tank for educational access provided Kyle with a platform to work on practical solutions to barriers faced by incarcerated students.
Kyle also began advocating for the program beyond the classroom. Already engaged in advocacy work through prison clubs, he saw the opportunity to bring these conversations to a broader level—statewide. His advocacy extended to creating educational resources and helping students across the state engage with higher education while incarcerated. After 28 years in prison Kyle was granted an early release by Governor Brown and he was eager to continue his work both as a P.E.P. alum and on prison issues more broadly.
One of the highlights of Kyle’s journey with P.E.P. has been the sense of community and camaraderie it fosters. After his release, he hosted a P.E.P. reunion event, inviting former inside students, interns, and staff for a gathering that included food, crafts, and social time. As an alum, he continues to engage in presentations, advocacy, and outreach, sharing his story and encouraging others to participate in the program.
On his professional journey, Kyle has been working as a policy and legislative outreach coordinator with the Oregon Justice Resource Center, where he focuses on higher education, healthcare access, and security concerns. His role involves meeting with legislators, providing testimony, and engaging in coalition efforts to promote change. The featured photo is Kyle with PEP Interns at University Lobby Day in 2024. His deep understanding of the barriers faced by incarcerated individuals shapes his advocacy and fuels his efforts to improve policies that impact people both inside and outside the prison system. Kyle is also involved in helping build transitional housing for formerly incarcerated people.
He believes that providing access to education is a powerful way to break down barriers, change lives, and strengthen communities. “It made an incredible impact on my life,” Kyle says, and he encourages others to get involved, telling them “It’s going to change your life.”