Founded in 2009, Wesleyan University’s Center for Prison Education (CPE) provides rigorous liberal arts education and degree opportunities to students at Cheshire Correctional Institution and York Correctional Institution. More than 180 students have participated in CPE courses, and more than 80 have earned college credentials through partnerships with Wesleyan University and Connecticut State Community College. Over sixteen years, the Center has expanded educational opportunities for incarcerated learners while building a community of students, graduates, and alumni.


In 2025–26, Wesleyan launched the Bachelor of Liberal Studies (BLS) Degree Completion Scholars Program, creating a pathway for former CPE students to continue their education on Wesleyan’s campus. Through small annual cohorts, the program extends the reach and power of Wesleyan affiliation beyond prison walls, supporting students on the continuum from in-prison education to campus integration.