Campus Within Walls: Education as a Second Chance
For some people, education is a right whose impact is often overlooked. But for justice-impacted learners, it’s recognized as a pathway to redemption. Since 1985, Southside Community College’s Campus Within Walls program has recognized this transformative power, bringing both higher education and a second chance to over 6,000 students across Virginia’s correctional facilities.
Over its 40-year history, Campus Within Walls has evolved through multiple phases, adapting its structure in response to shifting federal, state and administrative guidelines.
From the 1994 revocation of Pell Grant eligibility for incarcerated students to its recent reinstatement, Campus Within Walls has navigated shifting landscapes in education policy while remaining true to its core mission to transform lives through higher learning.
Pathways to Purpose
Campus Within Walls operates in five institutions throughout the state: Baskerville Correctional Center, Lunenburg Correctional Center, Nottoway Correctional Center, State Farm Correctional Center and Virginia Correctional Center for Women.
Currently led by Program Coordinator Amanda Cox, the program has become a lifeline for justice-impacted learners seeking change. For many students, the classroom offers a rare opportunity to be seen not for their past but for their potential.
“[Some incarcerated students] are in their 40s and it’s the first time they’ve ever had anybody take any vested interest in them and their education,” said Cox. “And you want to because you want to see them do well and lead a good life.”
Campus Within Walls Staff posing for a team photo. Image Source: Southside Community College Website
Degrees of Impact
The degrees and credentials offered through Campus Within Walls are intentionally selected to open doors. Whether students choose to continue their educational pursuits or enter the workforce upon release, these programs are designed to give them the strongest possible foundation for success.
Students can pursue associate degrees in General Studies and Business Management, both of which offer flexibility for future academic or career goals. In addition to traditional coursework, the program offers learners the opportunity to gain industry-relevant skills through in-demand workforce certifications, including HVAC and OSHA 30.
As one of only four Virginia community colleges in the Second Chance Pilot Program, Southside has been able to help remove financial barriers and expand access to higher education for incarcerated learners.
Challenges and Commitment
Delivering high-quality instruction within the walls of Virginia’s prisons isn’t without its challenges. Limited internet access means that all FAFSA applications, course materials and student communications must be done on paper, turning a typically quick process into one that often takes weeks.
Technology limitations are often exacerbated by staffing shortages. While many classroom instructors must be recruited and trained externally, Cox speaks to the value of hiring teachers that already work within the Department of Corrections.
“You need to try and hire what’s already there,” explained Cox. “The simple fact is, they get trained a lot more than what we can provide them and already have that hands-on experience.”
Despite receiving approval to expand its operation into a sixth site—Greensville Correctional Center—COVID-era staffing shortages have delayed implementation.
Campus Within Walls Staff and Advisory Board. Image Source: Southside Community College Website
A Model for Second Chances
Without the deeply committed staff at the helm of the program, none of the impactful work taking place would be possible.
Cox’s team of five full-time staff members regularly visit correctional facilities, meet with students and coordinate with Department of Corrections personnel. Their day-to-day presence ensures no student falls through the cracks.
For any college hoping to one day replicate the program, Cox offers some sound advice.
“You’ve got to hire more than one person, and they must be full time,” she explained. “This can’t be done from behind a desk. You’ve got to be on the ground.”
A Future Worth Investing In
For Amanda, higher education in prison is more than an initiative, it’s a lifechanging pursuit.
“The goal is to prevent recidivism and help students secure good, stable jobs upon release,” Cox said. “By setting them up for success, we ensure they do not return to prison.”
When we invest in second chances, we invest in stronger individuals, safer communities and a more just future for all.