Degree Date
6-2025
Document Type
Dissertation - Public Access
Degree Name
Ed.D. Doctor of Education
Academic Discipline
Higher Education Leadership
First Advisor
Dr. Ignacio Lopez
Second Advisor
Dr. Blanca Gamez-Djokic
Third Advisor
Dr. Melanie Flores
Abstract
This qualitative study examines the experiences of formerly incarcerated individuals in Prison Education Programs (PEPs) and the wraparound services necessary to support their success. Through Schlossberg’s Transition Theory, this study explores how incarcerated students navigate educational transitions and how educators facilitate transformative learning. Using case study and narrative inquiry, interviews were conducted with fifteen formerly incarcerated PEP participants and seven educators.
Thematic analysis revealed six major themes: Access to Education in Carceral Settings, the Impact of Education on Incarcerated Individuals, Wraparound Services and Student Support, Experiences of Formerly Incarcerated Students, the Role of Educators and Program Facilitators, and Best Practices and Program Effectiveness. Findings showed that access to prison education depends on institutional policies, leadership, and eligibility criteria. Participation in PEPs promoted identity transformation, skill development, and resilience. Both formal and informal support networks shaped persistence and completion, though institutional resource gaps were noted.
Implications highlight the need for trauma-informed, student-centered program design, specialized training for PEP educators, and comprehensive wraparound support. Policy recommendations include expanding equitable PEP access, restoring Pell grant funding, and strengthening collaborations between higher education and correctional systems. Future research should examine other marginalized groups, assess long-term reentry outcomes, and investigate institutional support for PEP sustainability.
Ultimately, this study underscores that education in a carceral setting is both rehabilitative and transformative. PEPs restore dignity, foster hope, and create pathways forward for incarcerated individuals, reaffirming education as a vital lifeline within correctional contexts.
Recommended Citation
Castro, Isabel, "Through the Wire: Examining the Experiences of Formerly Incarcerated Students in Prison Education Programs and the Wraparound Services Needed to Support Their Success" (2025). Dissertations. 936.
https://digitalcommons.nl.edu/diss/936