The WashU – Continuing & Professional Studies (CAPS) Prison Education Project (PEP) is a transformative program aimed at providing high-quality, fully accredited liberal arts educational pathways to incarcerated individuals. Established to address educational inequities, PEP provides Associate and Bachelor’s degree programs within two Missouri correctional facilities with a focus on fostering personal growth and successful reintegration.
PEP offers on-site courses for incarcerated students and online courses for Department of Corrections (DOC) staff. All courses are taught by WashU faculty or graduate students and cover a wide range of disciplines, including math, sociology, biology, English, philosophy, astronomy, psychology, economics, art history, drama, physics, history and anthropology. The project features a diverse curriculum and enrichment activities like reading groups and workshops.
Missouri Eastern Correctional Center (MECC)
18701 Historic Route 66, Pacific, MO 63069
Phone: 636-257-3322
Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center (WERDCC)
101 US-54, Vandalia, MO 63382
Phone: 573-594-6686
Additional Information
Maggie Garb Lecture
Each academic year, PEP presents a lecture in honor of the late Dr. Maggie Garb, a co-founder and former Director of PEP.
Learn More
See the latest PEP news, sign up for updates and connect with staff.
Support
There are multiple ways to support the transformative work of PEP.
Student Support
The WashU – Continuing & Professional Studies (CAPS) Prison Education Project (PEP) offers extensive student support and enrichment activities, including a robust tutoring program staffed by WashU employees and students for academic assistance and collaborative learning. A key enrichment component is the PEP Reading Group which enhances critical thinking and reading skills through themed discussions of significant texts, fostering an intellectual community. Additionally, the program organizes engaging events like writing and math workshops, art exhibitions and speaker series to enrich the educational experience.
Reentry Services
The WashU – Continuing & Professional Studies (CAPS) Prison Education Project (PEP) offers comprehensive reentry services for incarcerated students, extending support beyond their release. The program includes workshops on job readiness, employment, housing, financial literacy, health and technology, facilitated by trained social workers. The PEP Reentry/Alumni program also employs a reentry advocate and alumni coordinator who provide personalized reentry plans and support for PEP alumni, ensuring a smooth transition back into the community with resources for housing and employment.
DOC Staff Education
The WashU – Continuing & Professional Studies (CAPS) Prison Education Project (PEP) also provides educational programs for Department of Corrections (DOC) staff, offering opportunities for professional development through Associate and Bachelor’s degrees. Availability to participate in this program is limited, and staff must work at either MECC or WERDCC to qualify. For more information contact the PEP Student Success Navigator or download the FAQ.
