IHC announces new bachelor’s degree program with Corcoran State Prison

UC Santa Barbara’s Interdisciplinary Humanities Center (IHC) has launched a new Bachelor of Arts program in comparative literature for incarcerated individuals at Corcoran State Prison. The program, set to admit its first cohort in Fall 2027, is part of the UC-wide Leveraging Inspiring Futures Through Educational Degrees (L.I.F.T.E.D.) initiative, which has expanded from UC Irvine to UC Riverside and now UCSB. Students will complete four courses per quarter over six quarters, with the degree designed to foster interdisciplinary learning and career readiness. The comparative literature degree was chosen for its flexibility and alignment with rehabilitative goals, according to IHC and L.I.F.T.E.D. Director Susan Derwin. She emphasized that the program’s humanities and social sciences curriculum provides critical insights into human behavior, culture, and global perspectives, empowering students to expand their understanding of the world. Derwin noted that education in prison is particularly valuable, as incarcerated individuals often lack opportunities for intellectual exchange and personal growth. California’s prison population stands at 95,827, the second-largest in the U.S., with nearly 30% of incarcerated individuals never having graduated high school. Only 4% of formerly incarcerated people hold a bachelor’s degree, highlighting the program’s potential impact. Research shows that incarcerated individuals who participate in educational programs are 43% less likely to return to prison within three years, underscoring the rehabilitative benefits of higher education. Derwin stressed that while education is a powerful tool for transformation, success depends on broader social support systems. She highlighted the need for stable housing, nutrition, and community resources to help students fully benefit from their education. The program aims to address these challenges by fostering an environment where incarcerated individuals can develop new skills and perspectives, ultimately improving their prospects upon release. For Derwin, the initiative reflects her commitment to accessible higher education for all. She believes literature, in particular, has the power to unlock possibilities and improve lives by helping individuals understand their place in the world. The program’s expansion to Corcoran State Prison marks a significant step in providing incarcerated individuals with opportunities for personal and academic growth.