Why This Matters
The Prison Professors platform exists to solve a systemic problem. People in prison are expected to demonstrate growth, accountability, and readiness for higher levels of liberty, yet most have no structured way to document that work or prove it to decision-makers. When one person documents their self-directed journey, it helps them. When thousands do it together, it changes the system.
Building Pathways to Success
Every profile on our platform represents a person taking responsibility for their future. By documenting daily lessons, journals, book reports, and release plans, individuals build a verifiable record of how they are working to reconcile with society and prepare for success upon release. Each person becomes a "Prison Professor," contributing to a growing body of evidence that transformation is possible when people are given tools and accountability.
As this community grows, so does our impact. The collective data reveals patterns of effort, consistency, and personal development that employers, policymakers, and correctional leaders can no longer ignore. These numbers become proof points that support advocacy for reforms which can expand access to work opportunities, community placement, and earned pathways to liberty based on merit.
This is a collaborative effort. Our platform allows individuals, families, volunteers, and institutions to participate in building a system that rewards preparation, responsibility, and contribution. Growth matters because scale gives voice, creates leverage, and allows us to advocate for a future where people can earn freedom through documented effort and measurable progress.
We provide all lessons without charge because access should never be the barrier. People in prison face real and immediate challenges: restricted liberty, separation from loved ones, and significant barriers to employment and reintegration. Each person must build a pathway that demonstrates readiness for the highest level of liberty at the soonest possible time. By consistently developing a written record through a profile, individuals create an asset for self-advocacy. Over time, that record becomes evidence of intention, effort, and accountability.
Data consistently shows that people leaving prison face one of five likely outcomes: Unemployment, Underemployment, Homelessness, Further problems with the law, or Success. To succeed, a person should be self-directed, intentional, and deliberate. Building a profile will show that a person doesn't only talk about building a pathway to success. A person thought about the relevance of each step. Building a profile demonstrates that a person has moved beyond intention. It shows deliberate planning, consistent effort, and a clear connection between daily actions and long-term success.
Our Impact
We're continuously working to grow the number of people who are memorializing their journey. By visiting prisons across the United States, we reached a goal of surpassing 5,000 people before the end of 2025.
In 2026, we will continue visiting prisons and supporting people who use our platform to memorialize their pathways to success. Through those efforts, we expect to grow our numbers to more than 10,000 people before we finish 2026.
To reform the system, we need to show active participation on our platform. Those active users will help us persuade universities to complete independent studies, showing the effectiveness of this platform. We anticipate that comparisons will show that people who invest time and energy to memorialize their journey through prison will have positive characteristics, making them more likely to:
- Adjust in ways that minimize disciplinary infractions.
- Show a self-directed and intentional adjustment strategy.
- Build supportive relationships that contribute to success upon release.
- Show that they're better candidates for the highest level of liberty at the soonest possible time.
- Have job offers waiting for them upon release.
If we can show that data, we will be more successful at:
- Influencing policy changes that open more pathways for people to earn higher levels of liberty, based on merit.
- Creating a filter that law enforcement agencies can use to assess a person's commitment to success, which would be useful for probation officers, judges, and those who make clemency decisions.
- Building bridges with employers who will consider hiring people who have taken the time to show that they're self-directed, intentional, and deliberate about preparing for success.
Join the Movement
Be Part of the Change
Every metric represents a life touched, a lesson learned, or a step toward freedom. Join us in building a system that rewards personal growth and earned success.
Support Our Mission
Your tax-deductible donation helps provide free education and advocacy to people in prison and their families.
Sends one book to someone in prison
Provides course materials for 5 people
Sponsors one person's complete PSAP course
Funds books for an entire housing unit
100% of donations fund free education. Prison Professors is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
EIN: 85-2603315. All donations are tax-deductible.