(WBBM NEWSRADIO) --A record number of people behind bars, are hoping to get college degrees in Illinois.
More than 20 students recently accepted into the Northwestern Prison Education Program, will begin classes at Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill this month.
These students will join the first and second cohorts of students who are currently working on their Bachelor’s degrees, according to a news release from the Illinois Department of Corrections and Northwestern University.
For this most recent round of admissions, the committee received a record number of applications, nearly 400, from prisoners at corrections facilities across the state of Illinois.
“We are delighted to be welcoming them to Stateville, where they will participate in a program dedicated to the highest standards in academic excellence,” said Jennifer Lackey, Director of the Northwestern Prison Education Program.
“Even more importantly, they are joining a community of scholars who lift up each other’s voices and work every day to create a better world for themselves, for their loved ones and for society as a whole.”
Students have responded well to the program.
“I finally found a family who loves and truly has care for me,” said Jacob Currey, a student with NPEP. "They connect, assess, respond, and encourage.”
The program previously was only offered to those already at Stateville.
Related
Listen to our new podcast Courier Pigeon
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!