Policy & Practice
THEI advocates with and for justice impacted students at the state and federal levels. THEI also works closely with state agencies and community partners to drive a statewide strategy for ensuring equity and excellence in Tennessee’s higher education in prison programs and reducing barriers to education and employment for alumni who return home.
Tennessee Prison College Coalition
The Southern Higher Education in Prison Collective (SHEPC), comprising of HEP programs across 14 southeastern states, unites members to share information and strategies for improving programming, student support, and policy advocacy. THEI’s Policy & Practice team has been instrumental in leading and organizing this collaborative community.
Southern HEP Collective
The Southern Higher Education in Prison Collective (SHEPC), comprising of HEP programs across 14 southeastern states, unites members to share information and strategies for improving programming, student support, and policy advocacy. THEI’s Policy & Practice team has been instrumental in leading and organizing this collaborative community.
Technical Assistance
As a national leader of high quality higher education in prison (HEP) and reentry programming, THEI is committed to providing technical assistance to key stakeholders and partners in the field. This role came into focus in 2024 after the Department of Education’s reversal of a nearly three-decade Pell Grant ban is expected to drive expansion of new prison education programs.