Collaboration and Partnerships
The foundation of a strong program and partnership is collaboration - across correctional staff, universities, community organizations to state and national networks that strengthen the field as a whole.
Who does it take to sustain higher education in prison?
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Reliable partnerships and constant communication are essential to achieve an efficient HEP program. Respect, transparency, and student-focus are key aspects to keep these partnerships running smoothly. When working in correctional institutions, communication is necessary and clear processes can help ensure consistency. Engaging in campus and community partnerships can expand the resources available to HEP programs. University collaboration is essential in navigating processes such as admission, financial aid, enrollment, and more. Creating cross-campus partnerships with other programs and academic departments is an effective strategy to build a broader community, access more resources, and provide the best student experience. Local community organizations can also provide unique opportunities to HEP students if institutional processes permit it. Finally, statewide and national networks, such as NAHEP, can provide guidance, training, and opportunities for collaboration to HEP providers.
“Collaboration is necessary, essential to all work we do on campus, but [VISTA] elevated the necessity of that at a level I didn't fully understand [at first]…collaboration needs to be centered from the beginning and listen to the people who have done this work before…And collaboration is not taking a degree program and delivering it in another place. The collaboration of everything from student support services to financial aid to the registration of the students to tracking down transcripts that come from a range of other institutions students might be enrolled in, to the way the content of the courses are delivered and the training that the faculty need. And all of that isn't just a, oh, we’ll just create another process. All of those processes need to be linked and people need to be informed…Like the registrar needs to be included. The director of financial aid, their staff needs to understand why this is so unique and it takes different work from their staff and everybody else involved.”
“Ultimately what we see is that everybody has the same goals in mind: being able to provide rehabilitative services, being able to provide education, and for students to have a good experience that leads to something. No matter who you are or what you're asking for, that's generally what's underneath it. I think that's true of the institutions as well. What it takes is remembering we are all working towards the same goals and having a willingness to be creative around how to reach those goals because if we're working with the same values, principles, and destinations in mind, it's all possible and we may even find a new and exciting way to get there.”