PACE_CENTER

The Princeton Prisons Project offers credit-bearing college courses in the New Jersey prison system.

The courses are taught by teams of volunteers including faculty, staff, undergraduate and graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows. Each course must be led by an instructor who holds at least an M.A. in the subject. The teams prepare detailed class plans and course notes, and team members are assigned to teach, to grade homework and exams, and to prepare the extensive written materials. Individual volunteers generally commit about one evening of teaching or grading per week and participate in occasional team meetings and lesson planning. Volunteers receive ongoing training and support.

The program currently offers pre-algebra, algebra, and English at the Garden State Youth Correctional Facility in Yardville and the Edna Mahan Correctional Center for Women in Clinton.

The Princeton Prisons Project was initiated in 2005 by Science and Technology Council postdoctoral fellow Mark Krumholz ’98, postdoctoral fellow Jenny Greene, and Professor Jill Knapp, all members of the department of Astrophysical Science. Jill Knapp and Jenny Greene from Astrophysical Science continue to administer the program in conjunction with the Pace Center, which has expanded its assistance to the program to include administrative support to the teaching program and workshops to bring together representatives of the N.J. Department of Corrections and educational institutions to improve and expand the educational programs available to inmates.

For more information about the Princeton Prisons Project and how to get involved, please contact Andrew Nurkin at anurkin@princeton.edu or 609-258-9746.

The Petey Greene Prisoner Assistance Program is sponsored by a member of the Class of 1958 and facilitated by Jim Farrin ’58. The program sends Princeton University undergraduate and graduate students to serve as tutors and teachers at the Albert C. Wagner Youth Correctional Facility in Bordentown. The undergraduates help tutor inmates and assisted in the facility’s English as a Second Language program. Graduate students have taught courses at in art history, remedial writing, and poetry. Inmates in the program receive certificates for their participation, and what they learn can help them get into credit-bearing programs in the future. Orientation, training, and transportation are provided to Princeton volunteers. The Petey Greene Prisoner Assistance Program has been commended by N.J. Corrections Commissioner George W. Hayman. For information about the program and how to participate, contact the Pace Center.