Prison-to-Professionals (P2P) Program
Prison-to-Professionals is here to help people pursue their innate excellence.
BECOME A P2P SCHOLAR TODAY!
BECOME A P2P SCHOLAR TODAY!
THEORY OF CHANGE
It is well established that higher education is strongly correlated to income (1). A 2013 meta-analysis study by Rand Corporation found that obtaining higher education reduced recidivism (the rate of returning to prison) by 43% and was 4-5x LESS costly than reincarcerating that person (2). Thus, education helps the individual and cost society less. Education provides opportunities for people with criminal records to move beyond their experiences with the system and reach their full potentials. Furthering one’s education is not only healthy to the individuals but to their families and the community, by increasing income and reducing crime (3).
The US incarcerates more people than any other country in the world (4) (2.2 million people in the US are incarcerated with an additional 4.7 million people under supervision, with 70% being people of color (4-5)). Over half a million are released each year (5) (29% of the prison population). A fair amount of people released (6) (60%), have a GED or HS diploma (compared to 90% of the US (7)). But, less than 5% have a college degree (8) (compared to 40% of the US (7)). Thus, roughly 5,600 people released in Maryland (9) have a GED or HS diploma (with no college degree). Most of them are released to Baltimore City. This is our local target population. Obtaining higher education reduced 5-year recidivism from 76% (5) to nearly 0% (13% for those with Associates, 5% for those with a Bachelors; less than 1% for those with a Masters, (10-12)). |
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The goal of the Prison-to-Professionals (P2P) program is to help people with criminal convictions obtain higher education. Our scholars receive college/loan application assistance, SAT/GRE prep, an individual development plan (IDP), college readiness workshops, leadership training, paid mini-internship (if applicable), sitting in on college courses (before enrolling), access to tutors, scholarship opportunities, community building experiences, access to national meetings, and 2-yrs or more of mentoring. Formerly incarcerated college graduates serve as mentors. All the workshop facilitators are Masters degree holders, certified K-12 educators, certified career counselors, and combined have 30+ years working with at-risk, low-income populations in Baltimore.
Main area of Focus: The program provides educational counseling and mentoring to justice-involved individuals by addressing 4 main areas of focus: College Readiness & Career Development (CRCD), Leadership Skills (LS), Admissions & Financial Aid Counseling (AFA), & SAT/ACT/GRE (SAT) Preparation. |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Stanley Andrisse, the executive director, is a formerly incarcerated person with 3 felony convictions, sentenced to 10 years in prison for drug trafficking. He was once told by a prosecuting attorney that he was a career criminal with NO hope for change. He is now an endocrinologist scientist and assistant professor at two well-renowned medical institutions, Johns Hopkins Medicine and Howard University College of Medicine. Education was transformational. Furthering one's education is paramount to successful reentry into society.
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From Prison Cells to PhD is NOT about helping people pursue a PhD or doctorate or professional degree. We are here to help people pursue their innate excellence, to help people tap into and reach their full potential, via higher educational attainment (trade-school to professional school and beyond).
WE INVEST IN POTENTIAL. We provide a blanket of support in the form of resources, tools, and social capital to move people towards their full achievement.
The organizational name is a metaphor for going from a place of desolate despair to a place of prosperity and self-worth.
WE INVEST IN POTENTIAL. We provide a blanket of support in the form of resources, tools, and social capital to move people towards their full achievement.
The organizational name is a metaphor for going from a place of desolate despair to a place of prosperity and self-worth.
To become a P2P scholar, please click on the application button, select mentoring or educational counseling, and fill out the form. We will be in contact shortly.
P2P Form
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT
Credibility. Authenticity. We've been there. We're still connected. We lived the life. We sat in the cell. We witnessed the trauma first hand.
CONTACT INFO
Email:
Fill out the form below to begin a connection
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ADVOCATING FOR CHANGE
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HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Mentor
Reentry is challenging on many levels. Within three years of release, 67.8 percent of people are rearrested, and within five years, 76.6 percent are rearrested. Having a mentor to assist in this process is extremely critical. Are you a formerly incarcerated person looking to help out? Consider becoming a PCtP Mentor!
Reentry is challenging on many levels. Within three years of release, 67.8 percent of people are rearrested, and within five years, 76.6 percent are rearrested. Having a mentor to assist in this process is extremely critical. Are you a formerly incarcerated person looking to help out? Consider becoming a PCtP Mentor!
Tutor
Tutors will provide non-classroom, academic instruction to scholars for proactive or remedial purposes. Tutors will conduct one tutoring session per week in person (public library or college library) or electronically (phone, text, email, video call) and establish & assess weekly and semester goals. Bachelor's degree preferred. Commitment: 1-2 hours per week. |
Build a Connection
Bringing about social change requires a coalition of forces. If you are affiliated with a community organization (connected to impacted people), a university or college (admissions, financial aid, or other), or department of corrections, please connect with us today. |
Share Your Story
With more than 2 million people incarcerated in the United States and roughly 600 thousand returning each year. There are countless stories of motivation and inspiration. Please share your story below. |
Testimonial
Have you had interactions with "From Prison Cells to PhD" (PCTP) team? Were you inspired or motivated? Please share your thoughts with us below. |
Workshop Facilitator
Workshop Facilitator(s) educate, inspire and support clients to achieve their greatest potential. Facilitators raise awareness for areas in which clients can grow and provide direct feedback. Utilizing principles of adult learning and subject matter knowledge of criminal jsutice involved people, the Facilitator supports client achievement and provides continuous coaching, playing a key role to assist clients in developing skills for educational success. |
Program Coordinator
Program coordinator(s) work with staff members/clients, budgets, and procedures to ensure the implementation and success of our programs. Monitor team and scholar interactions and coordinate their schedules. Make sure program plans stay within time constraints. Contribute to curriculum development. Help raise necessary funds. |
Policy Advocate
Responsible for developing and communicating the views of PCTP to external stakeholders, such as associations, government or legislative bodies. PCTP has formed a coalition with organizations & stakeholders across the nation to bring awareness to and change policies that will help legal-system involved people obtain higher education. The position involves gathering local and national data around education and incarceration and preparing briefings for events and meetings. Commitment: 1-2 hours per week. |
Membership
PCTP strives to promote education over incarceration. Through membership you can help increase our voice in this fight. Become a PCTP member by joining our mailing list today. Stay on top of news in the field. Network with others passionate about this topic. Get involved in taking action. |
Pen Pal
Studies have shown that incarcerated people who maintain consistent contact and connection with society during their sentences have a lower recidivism rate than those who do not. Become a Pen Pal today. No information of yours would be shared with the inmate. We use our PO box and you only share your first name. |
Fill out the form below to begin a connection.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE