In 2015, women incarcerated at the California Institute for Women (CIW) wrote letters requesting a “Center for Incarceration Studies.” Their proposal called for higher education opportunities to cultivate critical thinking skills and innovative approaches to justice. Since 2016, the UCLA Prison Education Program has provided courses in seven carceral facilities in Southern California. PEP courses bring UCLA students and faculty into prisons for classes and workshops with incarcerated students. PEP Professors are faculty at UCLA with an eclectic range of skills, expertise, education and research. 

For the 2023-2024 academic year, PEP will offer courses in two facilities:

1. Federal Correctional Complex (FCC) Victorville - fall, winter, and spring quarter

   • PEP classes are only offered at the Women's Camp for Victorville

   • The camp is about 2 hours from UCLA (4 hours total)

2. Custody to Community Transitional Reentry Program (CCTRP) - winter and spring quarter

   • This facility is about 1 hour from UCLA (2 hours total)

UCLA undergraduate students and incarcerated students will be enrolled in these courses. Regarding transportation, on campus students and faculty will access transportation to and from the correctional facility via a chartered bus. The bus will arrive at UCLA in the morning, 2-3 hours before class starts in the facility. The bus will bring students and faculty back to the campus when classes end. Per the protocol agreement, all persons riding the bus will sign a liability waiver. 

*More information pertaining to classes and transportation is forthcoming. 

*NOTE: While PEP is about the work of Justice, Abolition and Mass Decarceration, we maintain respect for prison administrators and staff (warden, security guards, correctional officers, education supervisors, etc.) at all times. Regarding confidentiality, it is imperative that UCLA professors, students, and staff refrain from discussing institution rules, regulations, policy, and incarcerated individuals with people outside the facility. DO NOT take or give anything to the incarcerated students. 

For each correctional facility involved with the PEP program, there is a process for securing clearances for staff, students, and faculty to enter the facility. Victorville requires submission of documents prior to an on-site training that should be completed 30 days before students have class (this may include a Letter of Endorsement). Other facilities utilize a different process - clearances will vary depending on the site. The Prison Education Program will track and disseminate information regarding clearances to students and faculty.

*More information pertaining to clearances and training dates is forthcoming. 

*The next training at Victorville is April 17, 2024.

Attire for PEP professors and students is academic professional at all times. Dress conservatively and always wear closed-toe shoes. 

***For Victorville Federal Prison, refrain from wearing the following colors: yellow, orange, green, brown, gray and khaki. 

Dress Code for All Facilities

Wear clothing that is appropriate for a large gathering of men, women, and young children. Wearing inappropriate clothing (such as provocative or revealing clothes) may result in denied visitation. With the exception of UCLA apparel, clothing cannot have logos, photos, or slogans. The following clothing items are generally not permitted in the prisons:

• Shorts

• Revealing shorts 

• Halter tops 

• Bathing suits 

• See-through garments of any type 

• Crop tops 

• Low-cut blouses or dresses 

• Leotards 

• Spandex

• Miniskirts 

• Backless tops 

• Hats or caps 

• Sleeveless garments 

• Skirts two inches or more above the knee 

• Dresses or skirts with a high-cut split in the back, front, or side 

• Clothing that looks like inmate clothing (khaki or green military-type clothing)

Before courses and programs begin inside correctional facilities, UCLA students, faculty, and incarcerated students are required to participate in a quarterly prison education orientation (only for the quarter they are taking a class or teaching a class). In addition to reviewing policy and expectations, each orientation is organized and facilitated in collaboration with formerly incarcerated and justice system-impacted students and community members, and structured around critical issues developed by incarcerated women and youth. 

Incarcerated students are provided with an orientation as well - usually a couple days before the on campus orientation. This orientation gives professors an opportunity to think through basics on pedagogy (i.e., culturally responsive pedagogy, who are you teaching, how are you teaching, decolonizing pedagogy, etc.).

Orientations are designed to be movement based and participatory, and they are centered around 5 Pillars. 

1. Privilege

2. Assumptions

3. Protocol

4. Academic Integrity

5. Trauma

*NOTE: The spring orientation for UCLA students and professors will be held at UCLA on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, from 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm in Kaufman Hall (room 208). Dinner is provided for participants. All participants must RSVP. 

Prior to teaching or enrolling in a PEP course, PEP professors and students are required to review the Language Letter created by the Center for NuLeadership on Urban Solutions. In an effort to assist the transition from prison to communities as responsible citizens and to create a more positive human image of formerly and currently incarcerated people, CNUS is asking everyone to stop using negative terms and to simply refer to them as PEOPLE. People currently or formerly incarcerated, PEOPLE on parole, PEOPLE recently released from prison, PEOPLE in prison, PEOPLE with criminal convictions, but PEOPLE.

4 Easy Steps to Follow

1. Be conscious of the language you use. Remember that each time you speak, you convey powerful word picture images.

2. Stop using the terms offender, felon, prisoner, inmate and convict.

3. Substitute the word PEOPLE for these other negative terms.

4. Encourage your friends, family and colleagues to use positive language in their speech, writing, publications and electronic communications. 

*Prior to students enrolling in a PEP course, they must sign a confidentiality and protocol agreement.

*NOTE: While some prison administrators and staff (warden, security guards, correctional officers, education supervisors, etc.) may not adhere to these language protocols, we expect all PEP professors, students, and staff to honor the language letter created by CNUS.