About Us
Driven by Merrimack College’s Augustinian mission, the Jail Education Project (JEP) provides college coursework to men and women incarcerated in Essex, Middlesex and Suffolk Counties.
History
JEP began as one course per semester taught at Essex County Correctional Facility. Today, it is a certificate and degree-bearing program that offers up to 20 college courses per year across jails and pre-release centers in three counties. It provides financial and academic support for students enrolled in a flexible, affordable degree program at Merrimack upon release.
While many Higher Education in Prison programs take place in State Prisons, where sentences are longer, JEP operates strictly in county jails. The rapid turnover of jails, while logistically challenging, is also what makes jails so important. Twelve million people rotate through U.S. jails each year – 19 times as many as in prisons. Jails are also local, providing Merrimack an opportunity to bring education to underserved members of its own communities.
Non-Credit Pilot Program Launches
JEP begins its pilot program in the fall of 2016 by offering a non-credit course in the Middleton House of Correction. It is funded by Merrimack through a Faculty Development Grant.
For-Credit Courses Begin
JEP begins to offer for-credit courses to inmates in the Essex County Correctional facility. Courses are fully funded by Merrimack.
JEP Expands to MHOC
JEP expands to now include the Middlesex House of Correction located in Billerica, Massachusetts, as well as Essex County Correctional Facility.
JEP Expands to Women's Pre-Release
JEP expands to now include Women’s Pre-Release at MHOC in Billerica, MA.
Operations
Counties
JEP operates in Middlesex, Essex and Suffolk Counties.
Courses Offered
As of 2023-2024, the program is offering at least 20 courses annually.
Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Partnership
Courses are run at:
- Middlesex House of Correction, Billerica, MA
- Women’s Pre-Release Center, Billerica, MA.
Essex County Sheriff’s Office Partnership
Courses are run at:
- Essex County Correctional Facility, Middleton, MA
- Men’s Pre-Release Center, Lawrence, MA
- South Bay House of Correction, Boston, MA
Courses Offered
- BUS 2205: Intro to Marketing
- COM 1020: Public Communication
- COM 2401: Intro to Media
- CRM 1000: Intro to Criminology
- CRM 3380: Race, Class and Crime
- CRM 3600: Drugs and Society
- CRM 3900: Incarceration
- ENG 2050: Intro to Literary Studies
- ENG 2150: Intro to Creative Writing
- ENG 3900: Creative Writing - Fiction
- ENG 3902: Creative Non-Fiction
- HDE 4260: Foundations of Counseling
- HSC 1500: Intro to Public Health
- MTH 1003: Intro Math for Business
- MUS 3320: Songwriting
- PHL 1000: Intro to Philosophy
- RTS 1010: World Religions
- SOJ 1000: Intro to Social Justice
- WGS 1010: Intro to Gender, Race & Sexuality
- WGS 2010: Intro to Race and Ethnic Studies
Degrees & Certificates
JEP is a degree and certificate bearing program.
Associate's of Arts in Liberal Arts Degree
Students who complete two Merrimack College courses through the Jail Education Project are eligible to apply for enrollment into the Associate’s of Arts in Liberal Arts, a Merrimack College degree available only to JEP students. All courses offered through JEP count toward the Associate’s curriculum, and students are eligible to finish this degree at Merrimack College upon release.
Certificate in Writing and Communication
Students who complete any three courses are now awarded a Certificate in General Studies from Merrimack College, and students who complete three courses in the subjects of writing and communication are eligible to receive a Certificate in Writing and Communication.
Post Incarceration Program
JEP is designed to maximize student success inside and outside of jail.
The local demographics of jails allow students to continue their education after release at Merrimack through the JEP Post-Incarceration Program.
Participating students may enroll in two affordable and flexible degree pathways at Merrimack, where they receive:
- assistance with financial aid and enrollment applications
- financial support for textbooks, supplies, and technology
- academic advising
Associate's of Arts in Liberal Arts
Jail Education Project students who enroll in the Associate’s of Arts in Liberal Arts Degree while incarcerated will have the opportunity to continue it on campus at Merrimack upon release. To lift the financial burden on students, the Associate’s is designed to be 100% covered by state and federal funding. This degree is only available to Jail Education Project students and not the general public.
Bachelor Degree Program
The Bachelor Degree Completion Program is a flexible, affordable online degree pathway designed for adult students with a range of college credits to finish a Bachelor’s Degree.
Community Partners
The Jail Education Project has been supported by: