Hope College and Western Theological Seminary are partnering to offer The Hope-Western Prison Education Program, an initiative that provides a Christian liberal arts education to men incarcerated at Muskegon Correctional Facility.

Program Goals

As institutions of higher education, Hope College and WTS are bringing the gift of learning to those who often feel disgraced, dehumanized and forgotten. While justice is necessary, so too is the call to mercy and grace.

Students

The Hope-Western Prison Education Program provides incarcerated students with the same academically rigorous liberal arts education that is available through on-campus programming.

Benefits of Prison Education

Programs like this have proven positive effects on prisoners, prison culture and prison systems.

Support the Program

The Hope-Western Prison Education Program is free for incarcerated students, so outside funding is crucial to begin changing the lives of these men.

The program seeks to renew minds and form new persons while transforming the prison, the college, the seminary and the West Michigan community into places where righteousness and peace embrace.

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Teaching With Hope: The Power of Education
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Why Teach in Prison
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Hope-Western Prison Education Program Interview
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One Detroit: College Prison Programs
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Higher Education in Prison: An Uncommon Good 鈥� TEDx Macatawa 2023
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WOOD TV8: 鈥楳uskegon prisoners can soon get four-year degrees from Hope College鈥�
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Why Teach in Prison
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Movement West Michigan: Hope-Western Prison Education Program
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Hope College Chapel: Rich Ray and Trygve Johnson

鈥淭he trumpet has sounded! The call to a college education beckons, offering me a ride out of the abyss. A Hope College education offers an opportunity to regenerate my soul, edify my spirit, and bolster my ability to be of service to others.鈥� 鈥擲tudent, 2019

The Hope-Western Prison Education Program engages its students at the Muskegon Correctional Facility in an academically challenging curriculum while also focusing on moral rehabilitation and spiritual formation. Students enroll in coursework to earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree with standards as rigorous as those expected of Holland-based Hope College students.

We Need Financial Support

Students will not be charged to enroll in The Hope-Western Prison Education Program. Though the program currently has the support of both institutions鈥� senior leadership, dozens of faculty allies and the Michigan Department of Corrections, it needs funding to begin transforming the lives of men incarcerated in the Muskegon Correctional Facility.

  • A group of students and Hope-Western faculty for 2022 Convocation
  • Student participating in HWPEP
  • Students participating in HWPEP
  • President Matt Scogin speaking at Hope-Western Prison Education Program Commencement
  • Incarcerated students at the Hope-Western Prison Education Prison
  • Students participating in HWPEP

鈥�Most of my life has been a journey in the hope of finding something greater than myself. Getting a college education would provide me with the tools necessary to truly complete my journey鈥� to be a better man鈥� to be a bigger person than I once was鈥� to contribute to the world around me in a more positive way鈥� to be what God intended me to be: His true and faithful servant.鈥� 鈥擲tudent, 2019

Recent Blog Posts

  1. Welcome Kary Bosma

    Posted by Richard Ray

    After a nationwide search, the Hope-Western Prison Education Program is pleased to announce that ...

  2. Schooled Hearts

    Posted by Richard Ray

    It’s graduation season. Western Theological Seminary students graduated yesterday. Hope Col...

  3. HWPEP Welcomes Three New Members to the Circle of Advisors

    Posted by Richard Ray

    The Hope-Western Prison Education Program is pleased to welcome three new members to its Circle o...

  4. How Does Teaching in Prison Help Main Campus Students?

    Posted by Richard Ray

    The principal object of concern for the Hope-Western Prison Education Program is the educational ...

  5. Advent in Prison?

    Posted by Richard Ray

    Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,     a...

  6. Mathematics Can Help Incarcerated Students Flourish Too

    Posted by Richard Ray

    “Open your math textbook to page 25 and try solving problem #3.” That’s how I e...

Load More Posts

HWPEP Icon Photo 

WTS Icon Logo

 

Support the program

For more information about how you can support The Hope-Western Prison Education Program, contact:

Dr. Richard Ray
ray@hope.edu

Dr. David Stubbs
david@westernsem.edu

Hope by the Numbers

  • 1,150Credit Hours Completed

    Hope-Western Prison Education Program students have completed a total of 1,150 credit hours since the program鈥檚 inception.

  • 3.77Composite GPA

    As of fall 2023, the grade point average of all enrolled HWPEP students was 3.77.

  • 64%Dean鈥檚 List

    64% of HWPEP students were on the Dean鈥檚 List for the spring 2023 semester. The Dean鈥檚 List is awarded to full-time, degree-seeking students who have a semester GPA of 3.50 or above.

  • 98%Persistence Rate

    As of fall 2023, 98% of students who were admitted to the program are still enrolled.