As our students and former students return to their communities, they face a myriad of challenges. Many aspire to continue or complete their education; others look to put their degree or credits to work for them in a new career.
In partnership with SUNY, the Cornell Prison Education Program offers academic reentry services to our current and former students as they return to their communities. These services include:
- Pre-release planning
- Post-release academic advisement
- Basic needs referrals
- Health and social service referrals
In the six months leading up to a student’s earliest release date, we begin meeting with them in prison to begin the planning process for their release. We work with them to understand their goals and aspirations and provide referrals for housing and social services to help to smooth their transition.
CPEP Preparatory Pre-Release Workbook
We are happy to provide the latest edition of our prerelease prep workbook for incarcerated college students who are at the stage of preparing for their release from prison back to the community. The contents of this workbook, available here as a pdf, are potentially valuable to anyone preparing for parole/release, with sections on social reintegration, basic needs, identification/records, finances, and education/employment. This standalone workbook is provided here, for free, and you are welcome to share this document with anyone who might find it useful.
While we provide this workbook as a resource to anyone reentering society, we are limited in the services that we offer to those listed above in our reentry description. We encourage the use of services like 211 to provide referrals to local social services.
Access Academic Reentry Assistance
CPEP partners with SUNY to provide academic reentry support. You may access this support in two ways; by contacting CPEP or by contacting SUNY’s reentry support directly.
Request Academic Reentry AssistanceLocal Basic Needs Assistance
If you need of immediate support for basic needs or mental or physical health issues, we encourage you to contact 211 which can refer you to the most updated resources in your geographic area.
Contact 211