Student Support Services:
Led by 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, OpEds, testimonials, and art made by incarcerated colleagues from Colorado, the nation, and the world.
Community Advocacy: Colorado Radio Justice "Hotlines"
The Colorado Radio Justice "Hotlines" show serves as a vital weekly audio bulletin board and advocacy 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. These broadcasts are more than just interviews; they are an essential resource for health justice and a blueprint for the next generation of advocates working to transform the landscape of justice in Colorado.
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.
Student Spotlight: The Levitt Fund
The Levitt Fund at Colorado State University Pueblo | In partnership with Christopher Levitt and Jessica Gama, MFA
In a unique collaboration, incarcerated artist Christopher Levitt partnered with 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, which is 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. His advocacy serves as a bridge between the classroom and the community, proving that an investment in education is an investment in lifelong leadership.
"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.