The Case for UPWARD

Higher education in prison is one of the most thoroughly studied interventions in American criminal justice. Here's what the research says, and what UPWARD is showing in Nebraska.

What the research shows

A meta-analysis of 50 studies funded by the U.S. Department of Justice found that incarcerated people who participate in postsecondary education are 43% less likely to return to prison than those who do not. The RAND Corporation has put the return at roughly $4 saved for every $1 invested in correctional education.

For Nebraska specifically, the average annual cost of incarcerating one person is roughly $49,000. The cost of educating that same person, even with all wraparound supports, is a small fraction of that.

 

pep program

What we're seeing in Nebraska

  • 900+ students enrolled across five facilities since UPWARD launched
  • 165 credentials awarded in the first 18 months
  • 92 UPWARD students named to the SCC Dean's List in Fall 2025 alone
  • First institution in Nebraska, and among the first in the nation, approved by the U.S. Department of Education to offer Pell-eligible prison education
  • $470K Lowe's Foundation Gable Grant supporting expansion into skilled trades
  • $182K Sunshine Lady Foundation capital grant for a permanent education center at NCCW
  • Nebraska is the fourth state to join Reentry 2030, with a commitment to increase prison college enrollment by 50% by 2030

 

 

What this looks like in practice

 

Chad Finch

AAS in Integrated Technology

Chad Finch is fifteen years into a twenty-year sentence. He has earned an AAS in Integrated Technology through UPWARD, works at Cornhusker State Industries, and has a transfer to Doane University in his sights.

Jessica Whittaker

UPWARD's CDL program

Jessica Whittaker completed UPWARD's CDL program and now drives a city bus in Omaha, the same city where her story changed.

Grant Showalter

CDL training

Grant Showalter completed CDL training as an UPWARD student, came back as a tutor, and now works full-time at SCC. Student to staff.

 

 

What's next

 

Give

We have students on the waitlist. We have facilities that could host classes we haven't yet been able to launch. We have employers who would hire an UPWARD graduate tomorrow if we could place one with them. The case for expanding this work is strong, and the only constraint right now is capacity.

Let's Do More for Nebraska

Workforce Pipeline

UPWARD is producing credentialed graduates in exactly the fields where Nebraska employers can't find enough workers: skilled trades, transportation, business operations, and technology. If your company is hiring in any of these fields, we want to hear from you.

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