NC Pathways Project for Prisoners

The Vera Institute of Justice has announced that North Carolina has been selected to participate in the Pathways from Prison to Postsecondary Education Project (Pathways Project). This five-year initiative, directed by Vera, provides funding and technical assistance to selected states to develop a continuum of postsecondary education services for offenders during the two years prior to their release from prison and up to two years after release.  North Carolina will receive $1 million in incentive funding to pilot educational programming and reentry support services for male and female adult offenders. North Carolina was one of six states invited to apply for this competitive program. The Department of Public Safety (DPS) will lead North Carolina’s efforts, in partnership with five community colleges . A substantial body of evidence shows that increased educational attainment is a critical factor in keeping people out of prison and helping formerly incarcerated individuals become contributing members of families and communities.