Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 65.28
Liaison Michelle Seppala Gibbs
Submission Date March 3, 2023

STARS v2.2

Hope College
IN-47: Innovation A

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.50 / 0.50 Michelle Gibbs
Director
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Name or title of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
THE HOPE-WESTERN PRISON EDUCATION PROGRAM

A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome that outlines how credit criteria are met and any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation:

Hope College and Western Theological Seminary are partnering to offer The Hope-Western Prison Education Program, an initiative that provides a Christian liberal arts education to men incarcerated at Muskegon Correctional Facility.

PROGRAM GOALS:
The Gospel of Jesus Christ mandates that His followers visit prisons and bring their best gifts when they do so. As institutions of higher education, Hope College and WTS will bring the gift of learning to those who often feel disgraced, dehumanized and forgotten. While justice is necessary, so too is the call to mercy and grace.

https://hope.edu/offices/hope-western-prison-education-program/
https://hope.edu/offices/hope-western-prison-education-program/hwpep-article-june-2021-commons.pdf
https://magazine.hope.edu/summer-2021/i-was-in-prison-and-you-came-to-visit-me/

MICHIGAN NEEDS THIS PROGRAM
Study after study shows that prison education programs not only benefit and transform the incarcerated, but they also transform the prison community. Here’s why:

43% reduction in recidivism among parolees who participate in prison education programs
13% increase in post-release employment for parolees who participate in prison education programs
Return on investment for prison education programs ranges from 1:5 to as high as 1:12
A 70% reduction in misconduct incidents.
Improved safety and positive culture of prisons


A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise or a press release or publication featuring the innovation :
The website URL where information about the innovation is available :
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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