Get Involved!

The Inside-Out courses bring together campus-based students (“outside students”) and incarcerated students (“inside students”). Since Inside-Out began in 1997, more than 60,000 students, from both sides of prison walls, have taken Inside-Out courses worldwide. Inside-Out courses are offered in many disciplines, including; African American Studies, Anthropology, Communications, Criminal Justice, Economics, Education, English, Gender Studies, History, Law, Math/Statistics, Natural Sciences, Nursing, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Public Health, Religious Studies, Social Work, Sociology, Theater, Visual Arts, and Women’s Studies.

A Unique Learning Experience

• Emphasis on dialogue across difference
• Students sit in a circle facing one another
• All students have an equal voice in the classroom
• Distraction-free learning – prisons prohibit smartphones and technology
• Projects are done collaboratively
• Students are challenged to think critically about social injustice and find creative ways to respond 

How Can I Participate in an Inside-Out Course?

In order to enroll in an Inside-Out course, you will need to get permission from the instructor, who may want to conduct an interview. Inside-Out courses typically meet no more than once a week for a full semester. Inside-Out courses are held inside prisons or jails, so extra time is required for processing through security. Also, additional time will be required for commuting to and from the correctional facility. Please note that due to Covid 19 protocols, we are currently conducting Inside-Out via Zoom. Once it is safe to return to correctional facilities, we will resume in-person classes.  

• If you are interested in getting involved, please email Lori Pompa, [click-for-email] to discuss entry into the course.

Safety Considerations

In order to ensure the safety of everyone, it is essential that all participants carefully follow rules and policies established by the correctional facility and the instructor. For example:

• There may be various forms required by facilities prior to entrance, such as clearance forms. (Note: having a criminal record does not automatically preclude outside students from participation.)
• Prisons / Jails typically have strict rules for attire and prohibit the use of technology (i.e., mobile phones, laptops, etc.).
• Both inside and outside students are on a first-name basis only.
• Communication between inside and outside students is not permitted outside of the Inside-Out classroom. No further contact is permitted after the course is completed.

FAQ's

Do inside students receive credit for Inside-Out courses?

• The Inside-Out Center does not require that inside students receive credit. However, many higher education institutions do offer credit to incarcerated students, and they have found a variety of ways to cover the costs. Please consult The Inside-Out Center for suggestions.

Do these classes take advantage of incarcerated people in any way?

• These courses are specifically designed not to take advantage of those who are incarcerated. “Inside” students and “outside” students engage in collaborative learning, and the Inside-Out pedagogy emphasizes the value and equality of participant voices in the semester-long exchange.