Over the past two decades, postsecondary education in prison practitioners across the United States have convened to discuss and reflect upon the role of higher education in addressing systemic inequities. As the field grows, practitioners have organized national associations, regional consortia, and state coalitions to share strategies for developing high-quality PEP programs, navigating institutional structures, and learning from successful models across diverse contexts.

The program is intentionally designed by educators and educational scholars to advance collaborative praxis, administration, and thoughtful leadership development. We believe the next generation of PEP practitioners deserve opportunities for intentional training grounded in theory, evidence-based practice, and a deep commitment to educational justice. We approach these goals through a curriculum that introduces students to key theoretical frameworks in postsecondary education in prison (PEP) and examine how these commitments manifest in practice. Through case studies and examples of diverse PEP models, participants critically analyze what programs do, how they operate, and how similar approaches might be adapted to their own institutional or community contexts. The program also emphasizes the study of effective teaching and learning strategies that promote rigorous, engaging coursework and prepares students for future educational and professional opportunities. Participants also develop essential administrative and leadership skills to launch, build, and advance PEP initiatives, with careful attention to the ethical and fiduciary responsibilities of those working within carceral environments. The PELP certificate offers a distinctive, interdisciplinary approach to the most pressing challenges in prison education. By bridging research, pedagogy, practice, and leadership preparation, PEARL advances the professionalization and intellectual depth of the field while promoting the success of historically marginalized and justice-impacted populations.

The certificate aims to foster a sense of professional community among PEP practitioners and higher education professionals, ensuring they are well connected and equipped to navigate emerging challenges. The PELP curriculum empowers participants to design and lead programs that center student autonomy, human dignity, and liberatory learning. Through the PELP certificate, we aim to expand the capacity of a new generation of administrators, nonprofit leaders, educators, and advocates to engage in transformative work that continues to shape the landscape of higher education in prison.

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