"Thinking Back and Looking Forward": Hudson Link for Higher Education Publishes Multipart Conversation Featuring CfJ's Cheryl Wilkins

September 20, 2022

“Thinking Back & Looking Forward” is a multipart conversation chronicling the responses of two correctional leaders, Brian Fischer and Elaine Lord, and two formerly incarcerated leaders, Cheryl Wilkins and John Valverde, following the ban on incarcerated people’s access to Pell Grants in 1994 and their work to bring college back into their respective facilities. 

We’re very excited to share with you all the attached series put together by Hudson Link. “Thinking Back & Looking Forward” is a multipart conversation chronicling the responses of two correctional leaders, Brian Fischer and Elaine Lord, and two formerly incarcerated leaders, Cheryl Wilkins and John Valverde, following the ban on incarcerated people’s access to Pell Grants in 1994 and their work to bring college back into their respective facilities. 

We hope that documenting this conversation serves as a reminder of public funding vulnerability and highlights the importance of shared investment and leadership from currently and formerly incarcerated individuals, colleges, community members, and corrections to sustain program success.

Download the publications here