The Impact of Transformative Education
At the heart of C-CHEP is a commitment to evidence-based outcomes. We recognize that education is the most effective tool for pursuing personal and systemic change. Our programs focus on:
- Sustainable Reentry: Research consistently demonstrates that students engaged in higher education while incarcerated have significantly lower recidivism rates and higher post-release employment success.
- Academic Rigor: Our members provide the same high-caliber instruction behind the walls as we do on our campuses, ensuring students earn meaningful, transferable credits.
- Holistic Growth: Beyond degree completion, our members' curriculum fosters critical thinking, ethical leadership, and a sense of community belonging.
- Community Leadership: We are not just educating students; we are preparing the next generation of Colorado’s community leaders, entrepreneurs, and advocates.
Student Support Services
Led by Libby Catchings, JoyBelle Phelan, and a team of volunteers, Unbound Authors goes to 10 CDOC facilities to provide writing center support to our students, enhancing the power of our partners' educational offerings by focusing on strong argumentation, effective writing, and the process of editing and revising.
Community Arts
Led by the CU Denver PEP and chugging into its 22nd year of publication, this annual magazine features poetry, letters, Op-Eds, testimonials, and art made by incarcerated colleagues from Colorado, the nation, and the world.
Community News
The Colorado Radio Justice "Hotlines" show serves as a vital weekly audio bulletin board and news platform for the C-CHEP community. Produced in partnership with Remerg, Denver’s premier hub for reentry resources, this program bridges the gap between incarcerated scholars and the wider community. Our members frequently feature on the show to discuss the intersections of health equity, higher education, and the systemic challenges of reentry.
By centering lived expertise on the airwaves, "Hotlines" provides a real-time tool for navigating life after prison while advocating for student-centered, rigorous programs that support lifelong leadership.
Explore our featured episodes and listen to the latest updates from our members on the Colorado Radio Justice Spotify, listen to recent interviews on Colorado Radio Justice here.
The Levitt Fund
Incarcerated artist Christopher Levitt partnered with CSU Pueblo advisor Jessica Gama and CSU Pueblo faculty to design a formal correspondence art course from behind bars. This initiative led to the creation of the Levitt Fund, the university’s first scholarship specifically for incarcerated learners. By selling his own artwork, Levitt is helping to fund the education of his peers, proving that creativity is a powerful bridge to academic opportunity.
Read the Full Story on Open Campus
Student Spotlight: Sean’s Journey
Sean Mueller’s journey from incarcerated learner to a leadership role on the CU Denver PEP Advisory Board is a powerful example of the "Full Circle" impact of prison education. During his time in the program, Sean distinguished himself through academic excellence and a deep commitment to the community of scholars behind the walls.
Today, Sean provides a critical voice in shaping the future of the Colorado Coalition for Higher Education in Prison (C-CHEP). By bringing his lived experience to the boardroom, he ensures that our programs remain student-centered, rigorous, and attuned to the real-world challenges of reentry.
"Education didn't just give me a degree; it gave me the tools to advocate for the next generation of students."
View Sean Mueller’s "Full Circle" leadership story here.