Academics
Prisoners are often assigned to take Department of Corrections programs, but participation in University Beyond Bars is always elective. Each quarter UBB offers an average of 15 courses in the humanities, social sciences, math, and science, including college preparatory classes in English and math. Course offerings are selected with the help of our Prisoner Advisory Committee (PAC) and Teaching Aides (T.A.’s) . Most UBB courses meet weekly, Monday through Saturday.
Many UBB students also work full-time jobs inside the prison where they earn around $0.42/hour for a maximum of $55/month. Managing this work-study balance means it generally takes three years for students to complete an Associate of Arts degree; UBB’s partnership with Seattle Central College (SCC) has created a clear pathway for students to continue their studies upon release at Seattle Central College (SCC) or another area college.
Generous donor support enables us to provide students with all required textbooks, fees, and supplies.
COLLEGE PATHWAY
Designed for students pursuing an Associate of Arts degree awarded by our partner SCC. To qualify, students must demonstrate college readiness by testing into college level Math and English and completing our College Runway course. We offer optional preparatory Math and English courses for all students.
Enrichment Pathway
Not for credit courses, workshops, and seminars, designed by UBB instructors and students to provide incarcerated students with the opportunity to experience college-level learning in a wider range of subjects. These are accessible to everyone at all different points in their education.
Arts and Lecture Series
Provides access to lectures, workshops, and performances that expose prisoners to a variety of intellectually stimulating topics and discussions that inspire interest in the arts, sciences, and liberal learning. These are open to the entire population.
BY THE NUMBERS
We offer an average of 15 classes to over 300 students each quarter.
UBB is the first college experience for 69% of our students.
Our students have earned 38 Associate degrees and 4 Bachelor’s degrees. More than 63 students are currently working towards AA degrees through Seattle Central College Over 100 volunteers help us make this work possible and contributed 5,500 hours in 2018 alone.
**The Washington State Department of Corrections lists Hispanic Origin separately from their race statistics. 13.5% of Washington's prison population is listed as being of a Hispanic Origin.
