Resources
Explore tools, guides and research to support education in jails and successful transitions to college.
- THEI – Navigating Forward Toolkit
Reentry and college planning guide for learners inside and post-release. - Free Community College - MassEducate
- Federal Student Aid Fact Sheet (U.S. DOE, 2023)
Pell Grant eligibility, FAFSA tips, and more. - Fair Chance Licensing Project – State-by-State Map (CSG Justice Center)
Explore post-release career and licensing opportunities. - Formerly Incarcerated Graduate Network
- From Prison Cells to PhD
Resources for faculty, program leaders, and campus administrators involved in jail-based education.
- Prison Education Faculty Recruitment Toolkit and Training Resource Guide (SUNY, 2020)
Covers trauma-informed instruction, expectations, and classroom dynamics. - A Guide to College-in-Prison Program Sustainability (SUNY, 2021)
Faculty development, curriculum continuity, and partnership models. - Stakeholder Collaboration for Postsecondary Education in Prison (Vera, 2024)
Practical guide to designing and launching programs inside. - IHEP – Higher Ed in Prison Key Performance Indicator Framework (2020)
Metrics for DOC and program collaboration. - THEI – Navigating Forward (Includes educator sections)
Resources for jail and prison administrators, education coordinators, and policy staff.
- Massachusetts Prison Education Consortium (MPEC)
- Unlocking College: Strengthening Massachusetts’ Commitment to College in Prison (The Boston Foundation, 2022)
- Postsecondary Education & Accreditation (Vera, 2022)
Clarifies DOC roles and responsibilities in partnership with accreditors. - NEBHE: Pell & State DOC Roles Overview (2023)
Summary of regulatory roles and partnership frameworks. - NASFAA Working Group – Pell for Incarcerated Students (2022)
Guidance on compliance, reporting, and institutional readiness. - IHEP – Higher Ed in Prison Key Performance Indicator Framework (2020)
Metrics for DOC and program collaboration.
Local and regional resources offering education, employment, housing, and reentry support
Hampden County
All-Inclusive Support Services (AISS) - Springfield
Location: 736 State Street, Springfield, MA
Phone: (413) 781-2050
Helps formerly incarcerated individuals navigate housing, employment, addiction recovery, ID access, education, and reentry planning.
Visit AISS
All-Inclusive Support Services (AISS) - Holyoke
Location: The War Memorial Building at 310 Appleton Street, Holyoke, MA
Phone: (413) 781-2050
Helps formerly incarcerated individuals navigate housing, employment, addiction recovery, ID access, education, and reentry planning.
Visit AISS
MassHire Holyoke Reentry and Recovery
Location: 208 Race Street, Holyoke, MA Phone: (413) 427-3498
MassHire Holyoke’s Reentry & Recovery Program supports justice-impacted individuals facing employment barriers through personalized services like job search assistance, résumé development, and CORI support.
Visit MassHire
Franklin County
Franklin County Sheriff’s Reentry Program
Provides holistic reentry support including housing, mental health recovery, and women's services. Focused on first 10 days post-release and long-term stabilization.
Visit FCSO Reentry
Hampshire
Rocky Hill Re-Entry Collaborative
Location: 205 Rocky Hill Road, Northampton, MA
Provides short-term housing and support for men returning from incarceration in Hampshire County.
Learn More
Berkshire County
2nd Street
Pittsfield Office: 264 Second Street, Pittsfield, MA
North Berkshire Office (By Appointment Only): 33 Main Street, North Adams, MA
Phone: (413) 443-7220, ext. 3030
Helps formerly incarcerated individuals navigate housing, employment, addiction recovery, ID access, education, and reentry planning.
Visit 2nd Street
Housing Support
Wayfinders
Offers housing assistance, supportive services, and affordable housing options in Western Massachusetts. Assists individuals and families with navigating housing instability, including reentry support.
Visit Way Finders
Justice 4 Housing (J4H)
Provides safe housing and legal support for formerly incarcerated individuals. Advocacy around housing discrimination and transitional housing options.
Visit J4H
Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH)
Search certified sober homes in Western MA that meet recovery housing standards.
Search MASH Directory
Legal Aid
Community Legal Aid
Offers legal help with CORI sealing, public benefits, housing, and employment rights for low-income and formerly incarcerated people in Western MA.
Visit CLA
Center for Social Justice – WNEU School of Law
Offers free legal help with record sealing, ID changes, debt, and more. Supports people impacted by the justice system.
Visit the Center for Social Justice
Employment & Training
MassHire Holyoke & Springfield
Connects individuals to job training, resume help, reentry-specific workshops, and job placement.
Visit MassHire Holyoke
Visit MassHire Springfield
TechFoundry
Free tech training in Springfield for adults, including those with justice system involvement. No experience needed—learn IT skills, build a resume, and get connected to local job opportunities.
Visit TechFoundry
Working Credit
Free credit counseling and credit-building tools tailored for returning individuals.
Learn More
Second Chance Cars
Provides low-cost vehicles to help formerly incarcerated people access jobs.
Visit Second Chance Cars
Peer Support
Life After Prison (LAP)
Peer-led support groups and public education around life post-incarceration.
Visit LAP
Transformational Prison Project (TPP)
Formerly incarcerated leaders running healing and restorative justice groups in and out of prison.
Learn More
Navigation Help
Coming Home Directory (CRJ) – PDF of wraparound service providers
413cares.org - 413Cares offers a way for people to search for free and reduced-cost services in their community.
Field knowledge to inform advocacy, policy, and program design.
- Higher Education Behind Bars (NEBHE/Sheridan Miller, 2021)
- The Economics of Postsecondary Prison Ed (NEBHE/Sheridan Miller, 2023)
- Equity and Excellence in Practice (Alliance for HEP, 2019)
- ITHAKA: Improving Higher Ed in Prisons
- Unlocking College: Strengthening Massachusetts’ Commitment to College in Prison (The Boston Foundation)
- Report of the Commission on the Future of Higher Education in Prison (New England Board of Higher Education, 2023)
For state and institutional leaders advancing education in carceral systems.
- Alliance for Higher Education in Prison
- A Piece of the Puzzle: State Aid for Incarcerated Students (Vera, 2019)
- Postsecondary Legislative Database (NCSL)
- Fair Chance Licensing Project – State-by-State Map (CSG Justice Center)
- Laying the Groundwork (CSG Justice Center, 2020)
- Postsecondary Education for Incarcerated Individuals: Guidance for State Higher Ed Systems (SHEEO, 2020)