Project Overview
What is Higher Education in Prisons (HEP)?
Higher education in prison (HEP) refers to college programs offered to students who are incarcerated, typically through partnerships between universities and correctional institutions. These programs can include individual courses, certificates, or full degree pathways. Programs may operate in one facility or across multiple sites, and access to technology, space, and materials can vary significantly.
Students who are incarcerated often come to higher education with disrupted educational histories and limited access to resources; however, they bring a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and strengths into the classroom. HEP programs create space for students to engage in rigorous academic work, develop critical thinking skills, and participate in meaningful dialogue. HEP programs can also support confidence, agency, and a sense of belonging within an academic community.
Higher education in prison is a growing field (see: SHEEO and NAHEP), while each program is shaped by its local context, many share common challenges and goals. This toolkit builds on that collective work by offering guidance grounded in experience. Our goal is to support programs in designing approaches that are student-centered, equitable, and sustainable in their own settings.
Origins of San Diego State University’s VISTA program
When did this program launch?
San Diego State University (SDSU) launched its first BA degree completion program in a prison in fall 2023. Its first class of 27 students graduated in spring 2025. The BA degree program takes place on two facilities, known colloquially as yards, at Centinela State Prison (CEN). Notably, CEN is 98 miles from SDSU’s main campus, in the desert and about 38 miles from the border between California and Mexico.
What made SDSU an ideal place to create VISTA?
SDSU’s program grows out of the University’s longstanding dedication to supporting all students and expanding access. For example, while CEN is the first prison campus for SDSU, the University has campuses in the country of Georgia and Palau, and the state of Oaxaca. In addition, this program grows out of faculty dedication to supporting students who are incarcerated.
Where did the name VISTA come from?
In the first year, the program director launched a survey asking stakeholders—including students, faculty, and leadership from the university, prison, and community—for input to name the program. This culminated in the name VISTA: Valuing Incarcerated Scholars through Academia. VISTA is a collaboration across many units. The core partners are the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), and SDSU.
A Vision for Equity and Expanded Access
What are the VISTA program's goals and vision for equity?
The founding faculty and director of VISTA are dedicated to higher education in prison for unique reasons. Some had family members who were incarcerated and others had been incarcerated themselves. Leadership across SDSU were dedicated to new opportunities and to advancing higher education to people with limited access. Founding program director Buckley had led arts programming in prisons since 2013 and meeting students throughout the years with multiple AA degrees but no BA pathway was another core inspiration.
Holistic learning differentiated VISTA from the start
A core principle from the start was to create a rigorous program that actively engaged students in the learning process, providing choice and agency. VISTA is dedicated to holistic learning—supporting the whole student—integrating critical and creative thinking, and offering students an experience as mirrored to the main campus as feasible. Equity is key to this process. While higher education in prison can never be exactly the same as on campus, with creativity, collaboration, and planning, equity and parity can be achieved.