In New Jersey State Prison (NJSP), a handful of inmates are turning the relentless tick of a cell‑clock into a chance for study, yet most remain confined to GED‑level classes or costly, unaccredited correspondence courses.
Limited educational options behind bars
The prison’s education department offers only high‑school‑equivalent GED instruction. Inmates may enroll in “independent study” certifications such as paralegal programs, which cost between $750 and $1,000. For‑profit mail‑order schools sell unaccredited degrees for $500‑$1,000, but those credentials are widely dismissed.
Accredited degrees from reputable universities can run into the thousands of dollars, a price most prisoners cannot meet. One inmate began with a prison‑run paralegal training course taught by fellow inmates, then wrote dozens of letters to universities seeking admission as a test case, but received no replies.
A request to join the NJ‑STEP program—offered at East Jersey State Prison—was denied. A security major told him, “Why should I bring the NJ‑STEP here? You guys aren’t going anywhere.” The comment underscored the systemic reluctance to extend higher‑learning opportunities within NJSP.
Inmate voices on the education gap
Thomas Koskovich, 47, who has served nearly three decades at NJSP, scoffed at the notion of a college program. “What college programme?” he asked, adding that the prison only “proctors” independent‑study tests and that inmates must pay all costs themselves.
Thomas works as a teacher’s aide at the Donald Bourne School, where he helps men earn GEDs. He notes that “the school averages maybe five to 10 graduates a year” and that many students stay in GED classes for up to 15 years, sometimes deliberately failing to keep a $70 monthly stipend.
Kashif Hassan, a 40‑year‑old serving a life‑plus‑10‑year sentence, has earned two PhDs through distance education—thanks to family funds covering “the tens of thousands in accredited college tuition fees.” He says the prison’s education department offers “none” of the support and that a cancelled “college correspondence roster” is “about control.”
Michael Doce, 44, enrolled in a new program at Thomas Edison State University (TESU). He says, “I want to stick it to the NJDOC, to say, ‘Look what I did all on my own,’” while noting that the prison recently banned used textbooks, threatening his ability to continue.
A door where there was a wall
In 2023, TESU—a public university ranked among the state’s top 20—launched a programme that allows NJSP inmates to pursue accredited liberal‑arts degrees. The inmate who authored this account began TESU courses in 2024, with tuition covered by grants and scholarships. The programme operates independently of the prison’s education department, which only proctors exams.
For participants like Michael Doce, the opportunity feels “revolutionary,” offering a sense of freedom and purpose despite the prison’s restrictive environment.
Implications and possible next steps
Research cited by the Prison Policy Initiative links limited prison education to barriers in rehabilitation and re‑entry. A RAND meta‑analysis found that inmates who engage in study are 43 % less likely to reoffend, suggesting that expanding accredited programs could lower future incarceration rates.
If the TESU initiative proves successful, it could prompt the New Jersey Department of Corrections to broaden similar offerings to other facilities. Conversely, continued bans on used textbooks and the cancellation of correspondence rosters may signal a reluctance to scale such programs, potentially curtailing their impact.
Frequently Asked Questions
What educational programs are currently available at NJSP?
NJSP’s education department provides GED‑level classes and allows independent‑study certifications such as paralegal courses, which cost $750‑$1,000. Accredited college degrees are not offered directly, though a limited TESU programme now enables some inmates to pursue liberal‑arts degrees.
How does higher education affect recidivism rates?
A RAND meta‑analysis reported that inmates who pursue education have a 43 % lower likelihood of reoffending, indicating that education can significantly reduce recidivism.
What barriers do inmates face in obtaining accredited degrees?
Barriers include high tuition costs running into thousands of dollars, lack of institutional support, cancellation of correspondence rosters, bans on used textbooks, and limited availability of programs such as NJ‑STEP, which are not offered at NJSP.
How might expanding accredited education inside prisons reshape the path to rehabilitation for inmates like those at NJSP?
