RSVP for EJP’s reentry simulation on Saturday, Oct 10, from 10-12 p.m. CST! Event link here.
RSVP for EJP’s reentry simulation on Saturday, Oct 10, from 10-12 p.m. CST! Event link here.
Thank you for your interest in working with EJP!
The most common way for individuals to join EJP is to apply to one of our four program areas:
Undergraduate and graduate students on the Illinois campus can apply to become EJP interns. This involves providing support to an EJP program while attending a weekly seminar on incarceration and reentry. The internship program is offered under EPOL 390/598 and offers 2 credit hours.
You’ll find information about each opportunity below. You are also welcome to attend one of the following drop-in Zoom info session in fall 2026:
Thurs Oct 1, 4 – 5pm Central
Thurs Oct 27, 12 – 1pm Central
Wed Oct 11, 12 – 1pm Central
We request that you RSVP here: https://educationjustice.jotform.com/262167813506862
Looking for a quick overview of all EJP programs? The EJP 2025-26 Handbook is a good source of information.
Our college-in-prison program is at the heart of everything we do. It consists of 8 different initiatives at Danville Correctional Center. Individuals interested in working with EJP are requested to apply to a specific initiative or program; you are welcome to apply to more than one.
Please find a list of our prison initiatives currently accepting applications below.
What do we look for in candidates? We seek maturity of purpose and an understanding of the social and historic contexts of our work. We seek members who are comfortable working with diverse student populations, in terms of demographics and academic background, and who have strong social skills. Flexibility is important, as is ability and willingness to support other EJP members in our shared work. It’s important to be willing to follow prison rules and regulations.
EJP for-credit course instructors must have the same qualifications that would be necessary to teach the course on the Urbana-Champaign campus. In most cases, that is a terminal degree or ABD (“All But Dissertation”) status. Other programs require that applicants possess a bachelor’s degree or specialized knowledge.
The next deadline for submitting applications to participate in EJP’s college-in-prison program is November 15, 2026. We accept applications only once each year because the application process is so time-consuming. The November 15, 2026 deadline is for individuals who wish to work with EJP during the 2027-8 academic year.
The next deadline is November 15, 2026. Individuals who apply to EJP at that time will become involved in the program during the 2027 -28 academic year.
Each EJP program has its own application form, accessed by clicking on the name of the program, below. Please complete and submit the form according to the instructions. If you cannot find the form you are looking for, please contact the EJP office at 217.300.5150 or info@educationjustice.net.
Each program has its own selection committee. If the members of a given selection committee decide to pursue your application, they’ll contact you to schedule a Zoom interview. (If not, they’ll be in touch to explain that they have elected not to interview you.) You’ll meet with a small group of current EJP members and program alumni who will be interested in learning more about you and what leads you to apply to EJP, and in addressing your questions about the program. Please be aware that we always check references before extending an invitation to join EJP.
If you’re offered a position that will take you into the prison on a regular basis, the next step will be for you to complete the clearance application from the Illinois Department of Corrections. This is a lengthy application that includes a background check. After we submit the clearance application form on your behalf, and while we are waiting for news on your clearance, we will invite you to attend a series of orientations and trainings in spring 2027. These activities will prepare you for engaging at the prison, allow you to meet other EJP members, and help you become familiar with EJP’s policies and procedures. They include the mandatory orientation, “EJP 101,” which we offer several times each year.
If you have trouble downloading any of the applications, please send an email to info@educationjustice.net.
Each College-in-Prison program is overseen by an EJP coordinator. Some programs have two co-coordinators. These individuals manage teams of between three and eight outside EJP members, and work as well with incarcerated EJP members who contribute to planning and administration of our prison programs. Relevant leadership experience and content knowledge related to the particular EJP program is required for most coordinator positions. Coordinators are expected to work 5 – 7 hours/week and are compensated $31/hour. We accept coordinator applications on a rolling basis.
We currently seek to fill the following coordinator positions:
The mission of EJP’s Policy & Research Division is to educate and equip relevant stakeholders with knowledge, skills, and confidence to produce research and practice civic engagement that promotes equity-focused and evidence-based policymaking related to higher education in prison, reentry, and other relevant issues. Our team is supported by members across the country who are passionate about creating a more just and humane world. We work together to challenge the dominant narrative around incarceration, mitigate the impacts of incarceration, support the creation of more humane and just responses to harm and violence, and allow college-in-prison programs to flourish only as long as prisons exist.
EJP engages in research and public education that supports the implementation of thoughtful, evidence based, ethical policies related to higher education in prison, reentry, and related matters. Approximately 15 Policy and Research Team members contribute to this work.
EJP’s Policy and Research Team is currently accepting applications through November 15th, 2026. For more information about the team or the application process, contact EJP Policy and Research Director Ashton Klekamp at policy@educationjustice.net.
Note: Becoming a member of EJP’s Policy & Research Team is a non-compensated position.
EJP produces three reentry guides that are revised and updated annually. About twenty RRP members participate in different aspects of guide production–including research, writing, editing, outreach, and distribution.
The Reentry Resource Program is currently not accepting applications. Prison clearance is not required. We especially seek members with a personal connection to incarceration and reentry. The application form provides detailed information about RRP.
Our internship program provides course credit and practical learning opportunities. Undergraduate and graduate UIUC students spend 4 hours/week supporting one of EJP’s programs and two hours/week in seminar, engaging issues around higher education, incarceration, and reentry and hearing from those directly impacted by our criminal legal system.
The deadline to apply for Spring 2027 is November 15, 2026.
Most EJP members work with us without receiving compensation. Occasionally, paid positions with EJP become available. Those postings can be found in the Open Positions page.
We invite participation in EJP’s Research Group, which meets monthly. This group is open to anyone who wishes to discuss works-in-progress that address any aspect of criminal justice and allied topics. There is no application process and all are welcome. Please contact our policy & research director Ashton Klekamp at policy@educationjusticel.net for more information.
It may seem odd to be thinking already about your departure from EJP, but we want to emphasize how much we value our members and continue to think of them as part of the larger EJP universe, as we call it. Many people are active with EJP for years. Others work with us for only one or two semesters. We appreciate them all.
After a member decides it’s time to transition away from participation with EJP, we welcome their continued affiliation. Those who have worked with EJP at the prison are known as “EJP Faculty Affiliates.” We have faculty affiliates in many US states and in countries around the world. We appreciate the world-wide network of EJP members and encourage them to continue their participation in critical prison work wherever they find themselves.
Please see our bibliographies on prison education or visit this page to learn about other prison education programs and allied projects around the country
