My name is Joshua Bevill.  I'm serving a 30-year federal prison sentence for a low-level, nonviolent offense.  I've been in prison for nearly 15 years.  During my time on the frontlines I've witnessed up close and personal the human toll of injustice, which comes in many forms.

Among many other related pursuits, I routinely write about remarkable people who help rectify injustice, as well as help shine a light on the dark corners of the American justice system.  

So I had to write about Max Kenner.

The United States has the dubious distinction of housing the world's largest incarcerated population. Close to two and a half million people find themselves behind bars, at a staggering cost to taxpayers. 

Beyond the financial burden, this system tears apart families and perpetuates a cycle of despair. For decades, the prevailing solution was a relentless focus on punishment, with investment heavily skewed towards building more prisons. However, a quiet revolution is underway, spearheaded by Max Kenner and the Bard Prison Initiative (BPI).

More Than a Degree: The Transformative Impact of BPI's Liberal Arts Curriculum

Kenner, a visionary leader, witnessed the dismantling of prison education programs in the 1990s. This dismantling came despite evidence that these programs were highly effective in reducing recidivism rates. Undeterred, Kenner, then a Bard College undergraduate, took matters into his own hands. He founded BPI as a student volunteer organization, driven by the belief that education is the key to breaking the cycle of incarceration.

BPI offers incarcerated men and women the opportunity to pursue a rigorous liberal arts education, earning degrees from Bard College. The program stands out for its commitment to high standards. Incarcerated students are held to the same academic expectations as their counterparts on the Bard campus. This challenging curriculum fosters intellectual growth and equips graduates with the critical thinking skills necessary to navigate the world and make life decisions.

Breaking the Revolving Door: BPI's Remarkable Reduction in Recidivism Rates

How effective has BPI been in fostering change? The results speak for themselves. BPI boasts a recidivism rate of less than 2.5%, a remarkable achievement compared to the national average of nearly 70%. Graduates find success after release, with over 80% employed and many pursuing advanced degrees at prestigious universities like Yale and Columbia. These stories are a testament to the transformative power of education.

BPI's impact extends beyond its own students. The organization has established a consortium to help other colleges and universities develop similar programs across the country. This collaborative approach is crucial in scaling up successful interventions and maximizing their impact on the justice system. Kenner and his team work tirelessly to invite other colleges and universities to join them in the fight. They know the role that education plays and believe that incarcerated students represent a vast pool of untapped talent and potential. By offering them the same opportunities for educational advancement as traditional students, higher education institutions can not only fulfill their mission but also contribute to a more just society.

The Power of Belief: Investing in Every Individual's Potential

The transformative power of BPI extends beyond individual success stories. It compels us to reexamine our assumptions about who deserves access to higher education. Historically, marginalized groups in America have leveraged education to overcome societal barriers. 

Veterans returning from World War II, immigrants seeking a new life, and Black Americans striving for equality after emancipation all found empowerment through educational opportunities. Incarcerated people, often from backgrounds marked by social and economic disadvantage, represent another group with immense potential waiting to be unlocked.

The challenges of mass incarceration are deeply intertwined with broader societal issues like poverty, lack of opportunity, and racial disparities in the justice system. BPI's success offers a glimpse into a future where education serves as a powerful tool for social change. By equipping incarcerated individuals with the knowledge and skills to become productive members of society, we can disrupt the cycle of poverty and crime that often leads to incarceration in the first place.

Furthermore, BPI's rigorous academic program challenges the prevailing stereotypes about incarcerated people. Often portrayed solely through the lens of their crimes, these individuals demonstrate remarkable intellectual ability and a thirst for knowledge. Their achievements within the program dismantle misconceptions and pave the way for a more nuanced understanding of the prison population.

The impact of BPI is not limited to the realm of criminal justice. It has the potential to redefine the very purpose of higher education. In an era of rising tuition costs and concerns about accessibility, BPI demonstrates that education can flourish in unexpected settings and empower even the most marginalized populations. This compels us to consider how universities can better serve their communities and contribute to a more equitable society.

The road ahead requires collaboration and unwavering commitment. Policymakers must prioritize funding initiatives that support college-in-prison programs. Educational institutions need to actively recruit incarcerated students and create pathways for their success after release. Ultimately, the success of BPI hinges on a collective belief in the transformative power of education and the inherent potential within every individual, regardless of their past.

Max Kenner and BPI offer a beacon of hope in a landscape often dominated by despair. Their unwavering belief in the power of education is not just changing lives, it is transforming the conversation around criminal justice reform and the very purpose of higher education. The story of BPI is a testament to the human spirit's ability to overcome adversity and a call to action for all who seek a more just and equitable future.