About
The Augustana Prison Education Program (APEP) is a full-time BA degree program at the East Moline Correctional Center (EMCC), a minimum-security facility for men. Coursework commenced in 2021 for a cohort of ten men. In Spring of 2022, the Higher Learning Commission accredited APEP at EMCC as an official second location of Augustana College. We are proud to say that APEP is fulfilling the mission and purpose of Augustana College:
The purpose of Augustana College is to afford an opportunity for a higher education in the liberal arts that provides for the development of all dimensions of human existence, in a manner consistent with the higher education values of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. As a community dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion, Augustana prizes interfaith engagement, commitment to justice, spiritual exploration, reasoned examination and vocational discernment. In carrying out this purpose, the corporation shall assure freedom of academic inquiry and expression.
Currently in its third year, APEP has 35 students taking full-time coursework. In the 2023-24 academic year, 23 faculty are teaching an Augustana course in the prison.
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Course Offerings
How are students chosen for APEP?
Admission to the Augustana Prison Education Program (APEP) requires high school equivalency. Applicants sit for a two-hour essay application--a writing exercise in response to a choice of challenging texts -- and then are interviewed by a panel of faculty. Take a look at a Sample admissions essay exam.
Learn More
What issues propelled this program to start? The Director was interviewed a few months before winning the Austin E. Knowlton grant that allowed the start of APEP. Listen here to the genesis of APEP! Sharon Varallo speaks to Mass Incarceration, January 2020, Holden Village podcast
"Classes in Custody" - Quad City Times
Resources
Prison Policy Initiative is a non-partisan, non-profit organization that spearheads research and advocacy regarding over-criminalization in the United States. Here you'll find reports on many subjects in the criminal legal system and comparative data from different states.
Founded in 1961, the Vera Institute of Justice is a national organization committed to transforming the criminal justice system. The US Department of Education has partnered with Vera to help roll out the Second Chance Pell experiment that brought back access to Pell funding for incarcerated learners. Visit their website for more information on their mission to put an end to mass incarceration for people of color, immigrants, and people experiencing poverty.
Alliance for Higher Education in Prison strives to make higher education accessible to both currently and formerly incarcerated individuals across the nation. Their annual conference brings together prison education practitioners from across the nation.
Illinois Coalition for Higher Ed in Prison (IL-CHEP) is composed of HEP programs in Illinois that have banded together to share resources and join forces to make higher education accessible to incarcerated individuals.
Bard Prison Initiative (BPI) is a ground-breaking liberal arts degree-granting program originally started by Bard College undergraduates and featured in the documentary College Behind Bars. APEP is a proud member of BPI’s Consortium for the Liberal Arts in Prison.