Tennessee's Innovative Correctional Education Efforts Highlighted as National Model
A new case study from The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS) showcases Tennessee's pioneering work in expanding postsecondary education opportunities for incarcerated students, spotlighting the critical roles played by the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) and the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCAT).
Following the 2020 restoration of Pell Grants for incarcerated students, Tennessee emerged as a national leader through extensive cross-agency collaboration. Central to this success is the Tennessee Prison College Coalition (TPCC), which coordinates efforts among state agencies, higher education institutions, and nonprofit partners to provide holistic support for justice-impacted students.
TBR colleges oversee academic and training programs within 11 state correctional facilities, currently offering nine associate degree programs and 27 technical programs. Thanks to state investments through Governor Bill Lee’s Correctional Education Investment, students in these programs incur no tuition costs.
"Tennessee’s commitment to correctional education demonstrates the power of collaboration and shared vision," said Russ Deaton, TBR's Executive Vice Chancellor for Policy and Strategy. "By aligning educational opportunities with workforce needs, we're preparing students for successful reentry and contributing positively to our communities."
With programs tailored to meet local labor market demands, Tennessee has integrated incarcerated students into statewide initiatives, guiding students from incarceration into productive employment and further education.
The case study identifies Tennessee’s TPCC as a model for other states aiming to expand high-quality correctional education programs. It highlights the importance of inter-agency cooperation, strong state leadership, and student-centered practices.
Tennessee’s innovative approaches and lessons learned will be shared nationally at the National Conference on Higher Education in Prison, taking place in New Orleans in April.
The College System of Tennessee is the state’s largest public higher education system, with 13 community colleges, 24 colleges of applied technology and the online TN eCampus serving approximately 140,000 students. The system is governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents.