Since 2012, THEI has coordinated degree-granting college programs inside Tennessee prisons, through partnerships with the Tennessee Department of Correction and Tennessee Colleges and Universities.

Today, THEI acts as a third-party coordinator of degree granting college programs and student support services for eight programs inside six prisons. Members of the THEI Education Programs (EP) team work "on the ground" with students and instructors to ensure high-quality educational programming by facilitating communication between stakeholders and students, providing essential materials and resources to students, addressing student needs and barriers, offering technical assistance and training for stakeholders and partners, and providing opportunities for student engagement, leadership, community-building, and skill building.