In a landmark development for restorative justice and higher education, Drew Theological School has officially launched a fully accredited Master of Arts in Religion (MAR) program at East Jersey State Prison (EJSP). This initiative represents the first time a graduate degree program has been taught entirely within the walls of a New Jersey state correctional facility.
The program is an expansion of Drew’s Partnership for Religion and Education in Prisons (PREP), which has provided educational opportunities to incarcerated individuals for over a decade.
The MAR program offered at EJSP is identical in curriculum and academic rigor to the program offered on Drew University’s main campus in Madison. It is fully accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS).
Currently, eight “inside” students are enrolled in the inaugural cohort. Most are alumni of Drew’s graduate certificate program in Religious Leadership in Social Transformation.
“This Drew MAR is a commitment to genuine academic equity,” Edwin David Aponte, dean of Drew Theological School said. “Inside students now have the same opportunity to pursue an accredited graduate degree as their peers on the outside.”
The program utilizes a unique “combined” classroom model. Each seminar typically includes 10 inside students studying alongside five outside students who travel to the prison. This structure encourages the sharing of diverse life experiences and belief systems, enriching the educational experience for all participants.
The program is supported by the New Jersey Department of Corrections (NJDOC) and the NJ-STEP consortium. Officials point to education as a primary factor in New Jersey’s successfully declining recidivism rates.
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Acting Commissioner Victoria Kuhn, Esq. (NJDOC): “Education is a cornerstone of rehabilitation… we are fostering the leadership and accountability necessary for these individuals to thrive upon their return home.”
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Dr. Darcella Sessomes (NJDOC Chief of Programs): “By providing access to master’s-level education, we are committed to supporting incarcerated individuals in developing successful reentry plans.”
