Month-long series examines higher education in Florida prisons
Stetson University Community Education Project (CEP) is launching Rethinking Incarceration, an initiative designed to promote dialogue on mass incarceration, prison reform, human rights, political engagement and systemic oppression.
The first event of this initiative, “Florida Gathering,” will be a panel discussion on Thursday, March 21, in the duPont-Ball Library, Room 25L, 134 E. Minnesota Ave., DeLand 32723. Panelists include representatives from Exchange for Change, the Florida Prison Education Project, Writers with Conviction and ESUBA (Abuse, spelled backwards) as well as Mark Inch, Secretary of the Florida Department of Corrections. The event is free and open to the public.
CEP’s mission is to provide high-quality education for incarcerated people residing in Florida. Access to higher education offers incarcerated individuals meaningful opportunities for personal growth and intellectual engagement, which benefits our community as a whole. Funding for its work, including support for the Florida Gathering, is provided by the Laughing Gull Foundation.
In addition to the public panel, representatives from CEP and four higher education in prison programs from Miami, Orlando, Tampa and Tallahassee, will meet during this two-day gathering to exchange unique insights on their experiences with higher education in prison programs, their challenges and the prospects that come along with this type of educational commitment. As a collective, representatives will aim to create a Florida consortium of higher education in prison programs.
Other free events that are planned for this initiative and open to the public include:
- A Bonner Program presentation on mass incarceration, Friday, March 15, 2:30-4 p.m. in the Carlton Union Building, Stetson Room.
- Social Justice Lecture Series: “Surviving Criminal Justice in America” by Alabama death row exoneree Anthony Ray Hinton, Tuesday, March 19, 7-8:30 p.m., Stetson Room.
About Stetson University
Founded in 1883, Stetson University is the oldest private university in Central Florida. Stetson focuses on intense learning experiences in a supportive community that allows students to develop their voice in a connected, inclusive environment. Stetson University ranks No. 5 on U.S. News & World Report’s 2019 list of Best Regional Universities (South), and has been recognized as one of The Princeton Review’s 384 Best Colleges, 2019 edition. Stay connected with Stetson on social media.
