EJP is accepting applications until Nov. 15, 2025 — Apply Here
Join us on Nov 19 for Raylan Gilford’s book launch and discussion on life after lockup — RSVP
Liliana Lule is a lecturer in the Latino/Latina Studies department at the University of Illinois. She has recently joined EJP as an instructor and will be teaching in Danville in Fall of 2023. EJP’s bi-annual call for course proposals appeared in Liliana Lule’s email inbox in February of 2023. The announcement struck a chord with…
Spankey Davis is the Senior Alumni Advocate for ConTextos, a Chicago non-profit that uses education and personal narrative to promote healing, reflection, and social change. In describing ConTextos, the non-profit where he works, EJP alumnus Spankey Davis says, “We are a harm reduction organization that uses art and literature as therapeutic tools to help young…
Johnny Page has come a long way since he enrolled in classes at Cook County Jail just to get off the deck. Locked up at eighteen, he had always enjoyed reading and was an exemplary student when younger. However, in high school he got caught up in street life and dropped out. Once he started…
Fidelis Anyanegbu is a lawyer from Nigeria pursuing an LLM at the University of Illinois. During his year in the United States, he is working as a member of the office staff for EJP. In July of 2022, Fidelis Anyanegbu left his home in Anambra, Nigeria and boarded a plane headed for Illinois, which is…
Kevin McSweeney is the arboretum director at the University of Illinois and also teaches soil science classes on campus. He is going to be teaching with EJP in Spring 2024. In Spring of 2024, EJP will welcome Kevin McSweeney as a new instructor. Kevin studied environmental science at the University of Sheffield in the United…
Shiphrah Nantongo loves her job. She announces this fact with a verve and vitality that feels rare to American ears. Shiphrah is the Project Officer for Wells of Hope Ministries’ Safe House for Women, a Ugandan transitional home for women who have been incarcerated. When I asked her what motivates her, Shiphrah spoke with buoyancy:…
I’m Laura Kalmes. My work is focused on educational justice, and this is an extraordinary opportunity for me to engage with such a dynamic and dedicated group of activists and professionals. I completed a doctorate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Educational Policy Studies, and I now teach sociology and philosophy of education at Illinois…
EJP’s Writing Workshop Coordinator, Chelsea Catt, earned her PhD from the University of Illinois. She studied language and literacy with a specialization in writing studies. Her professional areas of interest include prison education, narrative inquiry, and expressive writing.
As a father of three, Robert Reed recognized while in prison that he needed to be a strong example for his children, Anthony, Diamond and Justin. Robert knew, as soon as he heard about EJP, therefore, that he wanted to join. Along with his wife, Arlinda, he has been connected with the program for more…
David Todd is a fervent advocate for education-in-prison programs. He credits such programs, including his time taking courses with EJP, with helping him find his two passions: cosmetology and mentorship. David was released from prison at age 41 in 2017, after serving 21 years. He decided while in prison that he needed to change his…
Linda Larsen became Research Coordinator of EJP’s Reentry Guide Initiative (RGI) in January 2021, but has been working as a member of RGI since 2017. Linda’s background is in writing and teaching about writing. In addition to her work at EJP, she works as Publications Coordinator for SEDAC, an applied research center at the University of Illinois…
When I entered EJP I was coming from a dark place. I was searching for the power within knowledge to harness it for destructive purposes. I was angry at the institutions that cause harm to my community and I was searching for retribution. I could not fathom that I was the greatest cancer to my…
