Education Justice Project

📸 We’ve uploaded some photos from Chancellor Isbell’s visit to Danville Correctional Center in February on the website!

EJP was honored to have UIUC’s new chancellor, Charles Isbell Jr., visit Danville Correctional Center on February 19th, along with his Chief of Staff and Senior Associate Chancellor for Administrative Strategy Robin Kaler and Senior Director of Community and Government Relations Bob Flider.

The chancellor spent two hours observing a class and engaging in a thoughtful and vibrant discussion with students in the EJP computer lab. He commended the men for their dedication, stating that their hard work created ripple effects that will
continue to benefit the community for years to come.

EJP thanks the chancellor and senior university administrators for visiting the students, and we hope to host him again in the future!

You can view all of the photos from the visit here: https://educationjustice.net/ejp-in-action-galleries/

Chad Rand, EJP’s Reentry Resource Program (RRP) Outreach & Distribution Coordinator, spoke on a panel with U-C Books to Prisoners at The Literary last Friday! Chad, an EJP alumnus, shared his perspective on the importance of reading and educational materials being made available to incarcerated populations.

Chad noted: “I was able to speak from a perspective of personal experience and describe the difficulties surrounding obtaining books and other materials, how precious of a commodity books are to people in prisons, and how we approach our work from the standpoint of education and reading being basic human rights, and a measure of a decent, compassionate society.”

Thank you UC Books To Prisoners and The Literary for a meaningful panel discussion and the audience for being engaged members of our conversation.

Reentry looks different for everyone, and women often face unique barriers.

Compared with men, women have fewer post-release programs and face barriers to employment in female-dominated fields. Formerly incarcerated women, especially women of color, are more likely to be unemployed or homeless than formerly incarcerated men.

Supporting women in their reentry journeys means recognizing their challenges and expanding access to women-specific resources.

Want to learn more?

Explore resources and register for EJP’s October 10th Reentry Simulation here: https://linktr.ee/ejpatil

We have a program called RIPPLE Effect. It stands for “Reaching Inside Prisons with Purpose and Love.” RIPPLE is a community-based gathering at which we provide cards and lists of individuals from our community who are incarcerated. We invite people to write letters to them.

Next week at the Oct. 6 RIPPLE, we will be sending out Halloween themed cards! 🎃

We don't usually ask for RSVPs, but we'd appreciate it if you let us know if you're coming this time so we can be sure to have enough pizza on hand! To RSVP, click here: https://educationjustice.jotform.com/262167682534867

RIPPLE is generously supported by the Urbana-Champaign Quaker Meeting and Bethel AME Church.

All are welcome, we hope to see you there!

📍 Bethel AME Church, 401 E Park St, Champaign, IL. *Please use the 4th Street entrance*

⏰ 5:30pm-7:00pm

We’ve uploaded some photos of EJP’s Spring 2026 Convocation at Danville on the website!

On January 15th, the EJP community gathered for our Spring 2026 Convocation under the theme "A Journey Ended, A Journey Begun.” We welcomed new and returning students, introduced our Spring for-credit courses and programming, and were honored to feature Julie Anderson of Restore Justice Illinois as our guest speaker.

A special thank you to our incredible 2026 Convocation Planning Committee for making this event possible:

Anthony "Ant" White

Demetrice "DC" Crite

Arto "Insight" Jones

Bernon Howery

Antonio Jones

As DC Crite so powerfully reminded us in his convocation poem: "Approach each day, week, month, year, and educationally, each semester as not the end of something or some moment in your lives. But I ask that we reflect upon that experience as a journey ended... and look upon what lies ahead of a journey begun."

Browse the beautiful photos from the convocation here: https://educationjustice.net/ejp-in-action-galleries/

The Education Justice Project and the Restorative Justice Initiative (RJI) at The Pennsylvania State University will be co-hosting a Reentry Simulation and Panel Discussion on Saturday, October 10 from 10am-12pm.

This interactive learning experience explores the systems, policies, and institutions that shape the reentry process following incarceration. Through a guided simulation and facilitated discussion, participants will examine how multiple systems including housing, employment, education, healthcare, transportation, supervision, and identification requirements—can intersect to create challenges during the first 90 days after release.

If you or someone you know is interested in attending this event, please RSVP here: https://educationjustice.jotform.com/261808253733156

EJP is proud to spotlight Arianna Puskarz, an undergraduate political science and psychology major and one of our incredible interns this semester!

Arianna is gaining hands-on experience in writing, research, and communication while learning about prison reentry, higher education in prison, and the criminal legal system. She writes, “I love working in an environment that not only reflects my own values, but that helps me translate these values into a physical impact.” If you want to read more about Arianna’s experience as an EJP intern, read her blog post here: https://educationjustice.net/ejp-blog/new-intern-spotlight/

In 2025, we restructured our internship program, adding course credit through the Department of Education, Policy, Organization, and Leadership, a weekly seminar, and explicit learning objectives, and the results have been fantastic. We also have many incredible events coming up!

Want to read more? Check out EJP this Week: https://myemail.constantcontact.com/EJP-this-Week.html?soid=1112531363573&aid=BxmwaPGgj4I

Your voice matters in Illinois policymaking—and knowing how to use it matters, too.

The Education Justice Project's Policy & Research Division has created a new Witness Slip Guide to help people understand and navigate one of the ways they can make their voices heard in the Illinois General Assembly.

A witness slip allows individuals and organizations to formally register their position on a bill before it's considered by a legislative committee. Our new step-by-step guide walks you through finding a hearing, identifying a bill, and submitting a witness slip.

This resource is especially timely as the Illinois General Assembly prepares for Veto Session, November 17–19 and December 1–3.

We hope this guide helps more people feel informed, prepared, and confident to participate directly in the policymaking process—and to use their voices to advocate for the issues that matter to them.

📖 Read the Witness Slip Guide:https://educationjustice.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Witness-Slip-Guide_Digital.pdf

Returning home after incarceration involves rebuilding certain aspects of that individual’s life. Finding access to healthcare is oftentimes overshadowed by securing housing and employment, but it is just as important.

“Nationally, about 80% of individuals released from prison in the U.S. each year” have mental health needs.

When individuals reentering society are supported with the mental and physical healthcare they need, they will have that strong, healthy, foundation for successful reentry.

Want to learn more?

Explore resources and register for EJP’s October 10th Reentry Simulation here: https://linktr.ee/ejpatil