Indiana extends Ivy Tech prison education deal for another decade
The renewed agreement aims to serve 6,500 students in 15 facilities, with enrollment rising by more than 3,000 since 2021.
By Ethan Cook ·
Incarcerated individuals in Indiana will retain access to job training and degree programs for the next ten years under a renewed agreement announced on Sunday. The deal ensures that educational services continue across the state’s adult correctional system without interruption.
Governor Mike Braun confirmed the partnership between the Indiana Department of Correction and Ivy Tech Community College. He stated that strengthening reentry programs is a priority for his administration because conditions inside correctional facilities directly affect public safety.
The current arrangement supports approximately 6,500 students located in 15 adult facilities. Around 140 Ivy Tech instructors deliver career and technical instruction in fields such as welding, culinary arts, and cosmetology. Participants can also obtain industry certifications and high school equivalency diplomas through adult education tracks.
Enrollment figures have climbed sharply in recent years. Since 2021, the number of students enrolled in correctional education programs has grown by more than 3,000. Annual program completions more than doubled, rising from 1,272 in 2021 to 2,833 in 2025.
Correctional Commissioner Lloyd Arnold emphasized that the programs prevent idleness during incarceration. He noted that the partnership allows inmates to utilize available resources while serving time. Ivy Tech President Marty Pollio added that the education provides skills and credentials necessary for establishing careers and returning to communities.
Amanda Harsin, chancellor of Ivy Tech’s Madison campus, said the college plans to expand existing programs over the coming decade. Her office oversees the college's correctional education initiatives statewide.
At a recent ceremony at Plainfield Correctional Facility, graduates discussed the impact of their studies. Antoine Bird, a student who also serves as a peer tutor, said the experience transformed his life. He remarked that he is not the same person he was when he arrived at the facility 22 years ago.
