THEI in the News
August 13, 2019
Breaking Into Prison: Interview with Julie Doochin
Paige Bainbridge
Check out this interview with THEI founder Dr. Julie Doochin! We remain so grateful to Julie for her vision and persistence; incarcerated students across the state have the opportunity to succeed and thrive because of what she created.
April 01, 2019
Tennessee would benefit from restoring Pell Grants to incarcerated people
Molly Lasagna, THEI Executive Director
Recently, I had the opportunity to meet with U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander’s staff to discuss the need to expand access to post-secondary education in prison. Joined by Shon Holman, a formerly incarcerated student himself, we emphasized just how transformative education can be for people in prison...
February 28, 2019
Gov. Bill Lee Announces Strategies to Improve Criminal Justice System
Governor's Office
Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced comprehensive plans to address criminal justice and public safety ahead of his State of the State address on Monday. “We must significantly improve public safety in our state and I believe that starts with our criminal justice system,” said Lee. “We will focus on helping individuals to ensure there is a pathway to a productive life beyond crime and ultimately make our state a safer place.”...
February 28, 2019
Gov. Bill Lee wants to invest millions in education, support for Tennessee criminal offenders
Adam Tamburin, Tennessean
Gov. Bill Lee wants to invest millions into Tennessee court and prison systems to give criminal offenders an education, support and a chance to clear their records. Lee's office on Thursday announced a suite of criminal justice reforms that will be included in his legislative priorities for the year. They are consistent with Lee's position on the campaign trial of focusing rehabilitating criminals...
February 26, 2019
No Time to Wait: The State of Higher Education in Tennessee
Complete Tennessee
Over the last decade, Tennessee has advanced a series of K-12 and higher education policy reforms that have created a wealth of opportunities for Tennesseans to pursue more affordable postsecondary credentials. These efforts have positioned Tennessee as a national leader for collaboration, bold policy action, and commitment to promoting student success....
February 26, 2019
Complete Tennessee report: Set clear goals to increase college graduation rates among struggling students
Jason Gonzales, Tennessean
If Tennessee wants to increase the number of its residents with a college degree or certificate, one mostly untapped place to look is at ensuring those incarcerated leave prison with an education. That is at least one area of focus listed in a report released Tuesday...
November 12, 2018
Increasing Postsecondary Opportunities for Incarcerated Tennesseeans
Tennessee Education Equity Coalition
On any given day in Tennessee, there are nearly 60,000 people incarcerated in our state. Read our report to see how the Coalition is Casting a Vision for expanding postsecondary opportunities to the incarcerated. The potential to transform lives and communities lies within our reach...
January 10, 2018
Pomp and Circumstance: TN Prisoners Earn Degrees Behind Bars
Public News Service
"Wednesday more than 20 male prisoners in Tennessee are celebrating the completion of the associate degrees they earned while behind bars. It's the first such group to receive the honor in more than 20 years. ..."
February 01, 2017
DSCC to Offer College Program to Local Prison
State Gazette
"On Jan. 17, at the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville, Tennessee, Dyersburg State Community College reinitiated what had been a successful and meaningful college-in-prison program during the 1980s and early 1990s..."
March 03, 2016
The Context of Love Is The World: Liturgies of Incarceration
Comment
"Many years before I set foot in a prison, I passed an afternoon in conversation with the writer, provocateur, and Baptist minister Will Campbell at his home in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. A friend to Martin Luther King Jr., Thomas ..."
April 02, 2012
Middle Tenn. Inmates Taking Community College Classes
Community College Week
"Inmates at a Middle Tennessee prison are being awarded college credits under a new program at Nashville State Community College. Instructor Julie Doochin started the nonprofit Tennessee Higher Education Initiative this year..."