Johnson College has launched a prison training program designed to provide incarcerated individuals in Northeastern Pennsylvania with industry-recognized credentials that support successful re-entry into the workforce.
Initially funded by the Sordoni Family Foundation and now supported with additional funding from the Mellon Foundation through a subaward agreement with Villanova University as part of the Expanding Access to Higher Education in Pennsylvania State Prisons project, this program represents a significant step in expanding access to career education behind prison walls and reducing recidivism. Currently, the College delivers training remotely to the Wayne County Prison, Pike County Prison, and the United States Penitentiary (USP) Canaan.
Originally piloted in 2020 through a $10,000 grant from the Sordoni Family Foundation, the program was developed to train incarcerated individuals in workforce-relevant skills. Since then, Johnson College has strengthened its efforts with support from the Pennsylvania Consortium for Higher Education in Prisons (PA-CHEP) to pilot additional courses and expand to more facilities.
The College has offered courses in OSHA 10 and Customer Service Basics, providing participants with nationally recognized industry credentials and certificates of completion. This winter, Johnson College plans to expand offerings to include Basic Electrical and Pre-CDL training courses.
The College’s efforts are further supported through a partnership with Goodwill Industries to expand workforce development and re-entry programming across correctional facilities. Goodwill identifies individuals interested in Johnson College’s career fields, coordinates participation, and provides post-training career preparation and job placement support for program completers.
Funding support for the current phase of the program continues through December 31, 2025, with goals to sustain and expand the initiative going forward.