We believe that education is a human right. We also know that expanding postsecondary education in prison has far-reaching effects on individuals, communities, and society. Incarcerated people who participate in prison education programs are 43 percent less likely to recidivate than those who do not.
USC Dornsife Prison Education Project offers a multitude of courses in varying disciplines including writing, science, meditation, public speaking, and more. Student volunteers assist the lead instructor in guiding the session. We are also offering WRIT 320: Inside-Out Writing Workshop at USC which allows students to deepen their writing skills while working collaboratively with diverse groups, programs, and populations outside of USC.
The Readers’ Circle is a volunteer-based editing network that pairs USC students and faculty with incarcerated writers seeking feedback on their creative and non-fiction work.
Part of the USC Dornsife Prison Education Project (PEP), the program allows Volunteer Editors to directly support the work of underrepresented writers while fostering creative and intellectual exchange between the university and diverse groups in our community.
California’s correctional facilities are filled with writers (authors, playwrights, screenwriters and poets) passionate about sharing and improving their work, yet this writing rarely circulates outside of prison walls. Drawing on the diverse skills and educational experiences of the USC community, the Readers' Circle seeks to address this need, giving incarcerated individuals the tools and encouragement they need to get the most out of their writing.
Find out more about how you can volunteer as a Readers' Circle Editor or submit your own work (if you are a currently or formerly incarcerated writer) by clicking below.