The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) received official approval from the U.S. Department of Education to offer four credit-bearing, stackable certificate programs as part of its Prison Education Program (PEP) at the RI Department of Corrections Medium Security Facility in Cranston. These programs provide incarcerated students with clear pathways to career advancement and degree completion.

Approved PEP Programs:

• Business Administration: Workplace Essentials – Builds foundational skills in communication, problem-solving, and organizational effectiveness.
• Business Administration: Entrepreneurship – Equips students with tools to start and manage small businesses, fostering innovation and self-sufficiency.
• Business Administration: Management – Focuses on leadership, team coordination, and operational strategies for supervisory roles.
• Advanced Manufacturing and Design: Manufacturing and Design – Offers hands-on training in precision manufacturing, CAD/CAM technology, and production processes aligned with industry standards.

Each certificate is stackable into an associate degree, ensuring students can continue their education beyond incarceration. Under the PEP, learners can finance these programs using Pell Grant funds, providing sustainable access to education without reliance on state or third-party funding.

“This federal approval affirms CCRI’s long-standing commitment to expanding access to education for justice-involved individuals and their families,” said CCRI President Rosemary A. Costigan, Ph.D., RN. “For decades, CCRI has provided educational opportunities that change lives and strengthen communities. Through the PEP, we are building on that history by offering high-quality, stackable credentials that lead to degrees and careers. These programs reduce recidivism and create pathways to economic mobility for justice-involved individuals.”

To support success, CCRI offers advising, FAFSA assistance, and weekly college hours inside the facility to help students enroll and stay on track. In addition, CCRI’s Reentry Hub provides centralized support for individuals transitioning from incarceration, connecting students with academic pathways, workforce training, and personalized advising to remove barriers to education, employment, and successful reentry. CCRI also partners with community organizations to deliver career readiness support, job-search assistance, and connections to programs that promote fair chance hiring.

CCRI’s work inside correctional facilities is not new. The college has a long history of delivering education and support services to justice-involved individuals and their families. In partnership with Polaris MEP, CCRI provides advanced manufacturing training within the Department of Corrections, equipping learners with industry-aligned skills such as CNC machining and automation.

Research shows that incarcerated individuals who participate in postsecondary education are nearly 50% less likely to return to prison, and vocational training programs like these significantly improve employment outcomes after release. These initiatives reduce recidivism, strengthen Rhode Island’s workforce, and contribute to safer communities.

Through this initiative, CCRI continues its mission to expand educational access, strengthen workforce pathways, and create meaningful opportunities for individuals preparing to reenter their communities.