Supporting Success: The Higher Education in Prison Key Performance Indicator Framework

Overview & Synopsis

Recognizing the transformative potential of higher education for people involved in the justice system, the Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP) with an advisory council of experienced higher education in prison (HEP) practitioners, data experts, and dedicated advocates, with input from students who are incarcerated, developed guidance to properly identify and benchmark quality higher education in prison (HEP) programs nationwide. This report outlines a comprehensive set of key performance indicators (KPI) that will help HEP programs generate long-needed data to inform program quality, develop robust standards of practice, and ensure quality outcomes for students. The KPI framework outlines metrics in four assessment categories: student success outcomes; academic quality; civic engagement; and soft skills, the non-technical and interpersonal proficiencies identified by employers as essential for success in today's workplace. In addition to listing and defining the indicators in the four assessment categories, the report includes recommendations for practitioners, correctional administrators, and state and federal policymakers.