Prison University Project – Open Line

The Prison University Project extends an educational lifeline to people who have been historically excluded from the arts and humanities. Our students, like most people in prison, come from some of the nation’s most vulnerable communities. Over 70% of students are men of color, and many are the first in their family to earn a degree. The Prison University Project was awarded the 2015 National Humanities Medal by President Obama, in recognition of the organization’s impact and leadership in supporting educational opportunities for the incarcerated.

OpenLine features essays, poetry, and artwork from Prison University Project students, amplifying their voices and humanizing the image of incarcerated people in the public imagination. OpenLine strives to change public perceptions of currently and formerly incarcerated people, playing a critical role in bringing about a more rational and humane discussion about criminal justice reform in the United States. The 2016 edition of OpenLine, titled Live: Performances in Print celebrates student performances from an Open Mic event hosted by the Prison University Project.