PVCC Becomes Virginia’s First Accredited Prison Education Program

Julie Olive, PVCC’s Coordinator of Higher Education in Prison Programs

This August, Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC) made history as the first institution in Virginia to be designated by the U.S. Department of Education as an accredited Prison Education Program (PEP). This recognition, held by fewer than 100 colleges nationwide, affirms PVCC’s commitment to providing high-quality higher education in correctional settings. 

The designation means students can now access federal financial aid through Pell Grants to cover tuition and costs, a change that removes a major barrier for many incarcerated learners. More than paperwork, PEP approval signals permanence. As Julie Olive, PVCC’s Coordinator of Higher Education in Prison Programs, explained, “It tells our students that we’re invested in this for the long haul. This isn’t a side project; it’s part of who we are as an institution.” 

Two Decades of Expanding Access 

PVCC’s work in prison education began in 2006 at Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women. Over time, programming grew to include Buckingham and Dillwyn Correctional Centers. Today, the college serves between 100 and 150 students annually, all pursuing an Associate of Science degree in General Studies. 

To date, more than 150 students have earned degrees through PVCC while incarcerated. For Olive, the impact is clear: “I watch our students enter the program as one version of themselves, and after a few years of hard work, they are a better version of themselves.” 

Why Academic Programs Matter 

While many prison education initiatives have historically focused on workforce and skilled trades training, PVCC emphasizes academic programming. Olive noted that people who are incarcerated deserve the same breadth of options as any other student. 

“We’re the community’s college. The point of our programming is to be accessible to anybody with a GED or high school diploma. Even if someone never uses their degree in a career, the process of education itself is transformative. It builds self-worth, confidence and hope.” 

Research supports her point: academic programs have been shown to reduce recidivism to single-digit percentages.   

Image source: PVCC

Overcoming Challenges 

Bringing higher education inside correctional facilities is not without obstacles. Lockdowns, student transfers and limited access to technology often disrupt classes. While recent progress, like access to JSTOR, has been encouraging, Olive emphasized that the environment itself is not designed for modern learning. 

“It’s still a prison. That comes first. But what it highlights is how incredible our faculty are — flexible, committed and creative in making sure learning continues.” 

Another ongoing challenge is financial access. While Pell Grants cover costs at community colleges like PVCC, many students remain ineligible due to a prior student debt or need further funding to support those moving on to pursue a bachelor’s degree. As Olive explained, expanding financial pathways will be critical as more institutions, including four-year colleges, join the work. 

Preparing Faculty and Building Community 

PVCC equips instructors with an annual workshop co-designed with Resilience Education and formerly incarcerated alumni. Training covers not only logistics, but also the realities of educational trauma and the importance of community care. 

“Our students often enter the classroom lacking confidence. Faculty need to be ready to recognize that and support them through it. We emphasize that no one does this work alone – we do it together.” 

For colleges considering or beginning higher education in prison, Olive recommends three things: build connections with peers in the field, include formerly incarcerated voices in program design and address the broader social context of incarceration. 

“Our alumni cannot be forgotten in this conversation. Their insight and leadership are vital. The ultimate goal should be programs led by people who have lived these experiences,” said Olive. 

For Olive, the most inspiring moments come from seeing students pursue education not just for themselves, but for their families and communities. She recalled one father who studied at Buckingham at the same time his twin sons started college: “He told me, ‘Now we get to connect in a whole new way because we’re all students.’ That’s the kind of ripple effect education creates.” 

Higher education in prison is more than a credential. It’s an investment in human potential, in families, and in communities. As Olive summed it up: “It’s a social justice issue. When we ensure people who’ve been left out are now included, everyone benefits.” 

Image source: PVCC