Introduction: Education No Longer Has Barriers
The rise of free online college courses—better known as Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)—is proving that quality education truly has no barriers. Through platforms like edX, Coursera, and others, anyone with an internet connection can access classes from world-class universities at no cost. In fact, Ivy League institutions collectively offer hundreds of courses online for free, meaning a prison inmate or their family member can tap into a Harvard, Yale, or MIT education from anywhere.1 This unprecedented access removes the financial barriers that once put elite learning out of reach for many. Knowledge that used to cost tens of thousands in tuition is now available to all, democratizing education on a global scale. As one incarcerated writer noted in The New York Times, “The MOOCs, which are free for the rest of the world, could help American prisoners become more educated and connected.”2 In other words, open online courses offer a game changer for those behind bars and their loved ones at home.
Prison inmates study together, highlighting the thirst for education behind bars. Education is often described as the great equalizer, and nowhere is that more evident than in the context of prisons. For incarcerated individuals, a college-level education was historically nearly impossible to attain due to cost, security restrictions, and limited prison programs. Now, through free MOOCs, prisoners can self-educate in subjects ranging from computer science to business, gaining the same knowledge as a student on an Ivy League campus. Family members of inmates are also seizing these opportunities, often studying the exact same courses in solidarity with their loved ones. The impact is profound: learning is becoming a family endeavor, and each new skill acquired is a step toward a brighter future. Education no longer stops at the prison gates – it flows freely to anyone ready to learn.
Why MOOCs Matter for Prisoners and Their Families
Education as a Pathway to Financial Independence
For prisoners and their families, education isn’t just about personal growth—it’s a lifeline to financial stability. When someone is incarcerated, their household often loses a breadwinner, putting strain on spouses, parents, and children left behind. Gaining new qualifications and skills through MOOCs can help bridge that gap.
Inmates who study while imprisoned are better positioned to find employment upon release, reducing their risk of reoffending and easing the financial burden on their families. Research shows that incarcerated people who participate in educational programs have 43% lower odds of returning to prison and significantly higher employment rates after release.3
In practical terms, this means a parent who earns a certificate in IT support or accounting via a free online course can come home and quickly contribute to the family income. Meanwhile, their partner or older children might also take free courses (such as entrepreneurship or job skills training) to improve their own employment prospects. This joint pursuit of education creates a pathway to financial independence where the whole family lifts themselves up together.
A Level Playing Field
MOOCs also level the playing field by granting high-quality education to everyone, regardless of wealth or background. In the past, an elite education from top universities was a privilege reserved for those who could afford tuition or had the right connections. Today, that same caliber of knowledge is open to a kid in a low-income neighborhood, a single parent, or an incarcerated individual with a GED. Prestigious universities have put complete courses online—for free—to fulfill the promise that “everyone in the world should have access to high-quality educational experiences,” eliminating barriers like high costs and geography.4
For prisoners, this is transformative. It means they can study the same material as students at Stanford or Yale, bringing themselves up to speed with the modern job market. A person in prison can learn to code, master business fundamentals, or even study psychology at a college level. When they reenter society, they carry with them knowledge and certifications that employers respect, rather than having to start from zero. Likewise, family members who never had a chance to attend college can now access these courses at no charge.
MOOCs have essentially erased the exclusivity of education—anyone willing to learn can now get an “Ivy League” education, creating opportunities that extend to the poorest and most marginalized communities.
Flexible Learning
Another key advantage of MOOCs is the flexibility they offer, which is crucial for prisoners and busy families alike. Online courses can typically be taken at one’s own pace and on one’s own schedule. For an incarcerated student, this means they can study during available hours—whether that’s early morning or late at night—without the rigid structure of a traditional classroom. Many courses are self-paced, allowing learners to pause when prison duties or lockdowns intervene, and resume when time allows.
This flexibility extends to family members on the outside as well. A working single mother with a husband in prison can fit an hour of coursework into her day whenever the kids are asleep or at school. Over time, she can complete a certificate or learn a new skill, all on a schedule that fits her responsibilities.
The content delivery is also flexible: lessons might be accessed on a smuggled smartphone (as some inmates daringly do), on a secure prison tablet, or via printed materials mailed in by volunteer organizations. One Georgia inmate, for example, managed to download course content onto a contraband phone and organized a group of fellow prisoners—across multiple states—to learn together in an informal study group5. They chose a self-guided online class that required no live internet connection and could be followed via offline videos and PDFs.
Such stories show how, given a bit of ingenuity, free online courses can bend to the unique constraints of prison life. The ability to stop and start lessons as needed, and to learn at one’s own pace, makes MOOCs an ideal format for those dealing with unpredictable schedules, limited access to technology, or the demands of family life. In short, flexible learning means no one gets left out—you progress as your circumstances allow, and the knowledge is waiting whenever you’re ready.
Spotlight on Harvard’s CS50: The Best Starting Point for Computer Science
Learning computer science online opens doors to high-demand tech skills. One MOOC, in particular, has caught the attention of prisoners, families, and educators alike: Harvard University’s CS50 – Introduction to Computer Science.
Commonly referred to simply as CS50, this course is world-famous as an entry point into coding and computer science. It requires no prior programming experience and teaches students how to think algorithmically and solve problems efficiently, using languages like C, Python, SQL, and JavaScript. So why is CS50 such a big deal? For starters, it’s one of the most popular MOOCs in the world, taken by nearly 5 million people and counting 6. Harvard professor David J. Malan’s engaging teaching style has turned this class into an online phenomenon, drawing tens of thousands of virtual students each semester from all corners of the globe. Critically, it’s completely free—all lectures, notes, and assignments are available online at no cost, with an optional paid certificate only if you want formal recognition.
CS50 is often recommended as “the best first course” for anyone interested in computer science or coding, and that includes people who don’t plan to become software engineers. In today’s digital age, understanding how computers work and how software is made is essential in almost every career. Whether you want to start a small business, work in healthcare, become an auto mechanic, or pursue law, you’ll inevitably be using technology and interacting with computer systems. CS50 gives a foundation in thinking like a programmer—breaking down problems, using logic, understanding data—skills that translate to better problem-solving in any field. Even basic familiarity with coding can set someone apart in the job market or help them automate and streamline tasks in non-IT jobs. For incarcerated learners, CS50 is a gateway to the lucrative tech industry, one of the fastest-growing employment sectors. And for their family members at home, it’s a chance to enter a well-paying field without a four-year degree.
Essentially, Harvard’s CS50 provides the technical literacy that empowers individuals to navigate and succeed in an increasingly computerized world.
What’s more, CS50’s online adaptation (called CS50x) is very user-friendly for independent learners. It offers:
- Video lectures (which can be downloaded if internet access is an issue)
- Interactive coding exercises
- An online community for support
The course is self-paced and self-graded, meaning students can progress through problem sets on their own timeline and check their work using automated tools. This makes it ideal for prison settings, where schedules are tight and internet connectivity may be limited. Over the past few years, hundreds of prisoners in Georgia have taken on the CS50 challenge, studying the same curriculum as Harvard freshmen. Some started with just pen, paper, and printed-out coding examples, while others managed to share a contraband smartphone to watch lectures 7. The enthusiasm for this course behind bars has been so high that incarcerated learners have even begun teaching each other.
Success Story: The National Attention Around Georgia Prisoners Learning Computer Science
In Georgia, a group of incarcerated individuals has proven just how far a free online course can go. It started with one inmate who had a passion for tech and a forbidden smartphone. In defiance of prison rules (and motivated by genuine thirst for knowledge), he downloaded Harvard’s CS50 course materials and began mentoring fellow prisoners in computer science. Before long, he had formed an inmate-led CS50 study group via group text message. The group grew exponentially—not only to inmates in Georgia but to prisons in other states as word spread.
According to an interview with The Marshall Project, “We have about 300 people doing this right now. We’re using Harvard’s CS50 materials; they have all their materials online… that professor – David Malan – I think he’s one of the best” 8. This informal network of 300+ incarcerated students all learning intro computer science together is a remarkable feat, considering the strict environment they’re in. They turned cell blocks into study halls, discussing algorithms and debugging code through illicit text messages. The course was entirely self-guided, which made it possible—each student worked through exercises on their own and helped others when they got stuck, effectively becoming peer instructors. The ingenuity and dedication on display is astonishing.
News of this underground prison coding class eventually reached the outside world. The Marshall Project published a feature highlighting this education initiative as a prime example of the creative ways prisoners use contraband phones 9. The story gained traction, and soon mainstream media picked it up. Yahoo News reprinted the tale, bringing national attention to these incarcerated coders and even getting a reaction from Harvard’s own CS50 professor, David Malan 10. Professor Malan was deeply impressed. He revealed that over the years he has received “thank-you notes from students in prison” who took CS50, and he expressed “such admiration for students who are trying to acquire new knowledge and skills on their own, ever more so in circumstances like those” 11.
Malan even ensured that CS50’s content would remain accessible offline, coordinating downloadable videos and software installable without internet 12. It’s not every day that an Ivy League professor corresponds with people in penitentiaries, but this mutual respect underscores how powerful the drive to learn can be.
The spotlight also turned towards local advocacy groups supporting these efforts. Georgia Prisoners Speak (GPS), a prisoner-led initiative, facilitated education for inmates, lobbied for better access to resources, and shared success stories like the CS50 group on their platform. Through informal networks and donated materials, GPS helped connect interested students with course syllabi and content. Momentum built to the point where incarcerated learners began teaching each other in study circles, effectively creating a mini-university inside prison walls. Peer-to-peer education helps spread knowledge faster and builds confidence and leadership among prisoners. Imagine a group of individuals in prison uniforms huddled over notes on coding in C, or excitedly explaining binary numbers to someone who missed the video lecture—this is learning driven by curiosity and hope.
The impact has been profound. Some participants have since been released and are pursuing further tech education or jobs, while others still inside have found purpose and pride through teaching. The Commissioner of the Georgia prison system even took notice, as did educators and prison reformers nationwide. This success story demonstrates that talent and intellect exist everywhere—even in prison—and, given a chance through free online courses, they can flourish. It’s a testament to the idea that rehabilitation can begin with something as simple as an educational video and a willing mind.
Professor Malan’s personal acknowledgment of the incarcerated students’ achievements was the cherry on top. He encouraged them not to be disheartened by programming challenges (noting even he struggles with bugs and errors after years in the field) and applauded their resilience. Such validation from a Harvard instructor meant the world to these students. It also sends a clear message: given the tools and opportunity, prisoners can achieve extraordinary academic feats. This Georgia CS50 cohort has set a precedent, inspiring similar efforts nationwide. Initiatives are now emerging to bring MOOCs into prisons through secure tablets or pre-loaded content, enabling more incarcerated individuals to follow in their footsteps without risking contraband-related punishments.
Ultimately, this story encapsulates why MOOCs are revolutionary: they allow education to penetrate even the darkest corners, lighting up minds that were once left in the shadows.
Other Highly Recommended Free Courses
Not everyone will want to study computer science, of course. The beauty of MOOCs is that there are free courses for virtually every interest and career path. Here are some top-notch free online courses and platforms that prisoners and their families are taking advantage of:
MIT OpenCourseWare (OCW)
MIT OCW publishes all of its course materials online for free, providing resources from over 2,500 courses across engineering, physics, math, and more 13. You can access lecture notes, exams, and assignments from actual MIT classes. For motivated learners behind bars, MIT OCW is like having an entire university library at your fingertips. Courses are self-study (no sign-up required), ideal for environments with no internet access—materials can be printed and mailed in. Popular picks include Introduction to Psychology, Calculus, and Circuits and Electronics.
Yale’s Financial Markets Course
Taught by Nobel Prize-winning economist Robert Shiller, this Yale course (available on Coursera and YouTube) covers the fundamentals of finance and investing 14. It’s essentially a personal finance 101 combined with insights into stock markets and insurance. Free to audit and accessible to all, this course helps prisoners nearing release understand budgeting, saving, and building small investment portfolios. Even without a math background, learners can grasp key concepts like risk management and behavioral finance through Shiller’s engaging teaching style.
Stanford’s Machine Learning Course
This pioneering MOOC, taught by Stanford professor Andrew Ng on Coursera, introduces learners to artificial intelligence and machine learning—fields rapidly growing in demand. Understanding these basics can open doors to tech careers such as data analysis or AI support roles. The course is free (optional paid certificate available) and often cited as the course that launched many tech careers. Incarcerated learners report appreciating the challenging and empowering experience of understanding smart apps and robotics technology. Families can collaboratively tackle assignments, turning learning into a joint venture.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy is a nonprofit platform offering thousands of free lessons in subjects ranging from basic arithmetic to college-level biology and economics 15. With over 170 million users globally, Khan Academy is a goldmine for foundational learning. Incarcerated parents can revisit high school subjects or even learn alongside their children via correspondence. The platform also provides computer programming tutorials, a useful alternative or supplement to courses like CS50. Its self-paced nature makes it particularly suitable for variable schedules.
Google IT Support Professional Certificate
This career-focused certificate developed by Google and hosted on Coursera consists of multiple courses designed to prepare learners for entry-level IT support jobs 16. Recognized by employers as equivalent to a four-year degree for certain roles, this certificate can be completed in about 5–6 months. Many learners secure scholarships or financial aid to take it for free. For incarcerated individuals, some prisons have begun piloting these courses on secure tablets. Family members can earn this certification from home, creating a pathway to well-paying IT jobs without the need for a traditional college degree.
Business and Entrepreneurship Courses
Many online programs teach financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and small business management—skills extremely valuable to prisoners planning to restart life outside. For example, the Brian Hamilton Foundation’s Starter U course provides free, self-paced training on starting and growing a business, including writing business plans and marketing 17.
Inmates to Entrepreneurs offers an eight-week course specifically designed for reentry through correspondence and online videos. By engaging with these courses, incarcerated individuals can prepare business ideas such as small engine repair shops or catering services, ensuring they are ready upon release. Family members often join these courses, planning future family businesses, learning essential business concepts like LLCs, budgeting, and customer service. Platforms such as Coursera and edX also offer entrepreneurship courses from institutions like Wharton and MIT, teaching pitching, financial management, and more. This knowledge enables families to build self-reliance, launch side businesses, and avoid debt traps, underscoring that whatever the interest, there is a free online course to teach its fundamentals.
How These Courses Translate Into Job Skills
Ultimately, education only matters if it can be applied. The MOOCs that prisoners and their families are engaging with are very much oriented toward real-world job skills. Here’s how free online learning is turning into tangible opportunities:
Digital Skills Are Job Skills
In today’s economy, almost every decent-paying job requires some level of computer or digital literacy. A recent analysis found that over 80% of middle-skill jobs now require digital skills—even roles in areas like manufacturing or office support demand proficiency with software, spreadsheets, or online tools 18. By taking MOOCs, incarcerated learners and their family members are acquiring exactly these skills. A basic course in Microsoft Excel or Google IT Support can make a huge difference on a résumé. For example, a prisoner who completes the Google IT Certificate emerges with knowledge equivalent to someone who has worked in an entry-level IT role. Likewise, a family member who has taken several programming or data analysis MOOCs could showcase those on their LinkedIn and discuss projects they completed, which many employers value as much as formal experience.
This is particularly important for returning citizens (ex-prisoners) who face stigma in hiring—having in-demand tech skills like coding, IT support, or digital marketing can help overcome gaps in work history and make them attractive hires in fields starved for talent. In short, MOOCs are closing the “skills gap” by equipping learners with abilities the job market is actively seeking.
Building Websites and Online Businesses
Many prisoners dream of self-employment after release, as a way to bypass traditional hiring biases. By learning through MOOCs, they can pick up the know-how to actually make that happen. Courses in web development and digital marketing empower individuals to create online businesses or offer freelance services. For instance, after taking free courses in HTML/CSS and e-commerce, a formerly incarcerated person could launch a small online store or a web design service. We’ve already seen prisoners use whatever internet access they have to practice entrepreneurial skills—some have even traded stocks or sold artwork online from behind bars 19.
With legitimate training from MOOCs, they can hit the ground running as entrepreneurs on the outside. Family members can also contribute: a spouse who learned bookkeeping via a MOOC can manage the finances of the family business, while the returning citizen handles operations. The knowledge gained might be as simple as understanding how to set up a WordPress website (taught for free on Khan Academy or Coursera), but that can be the foundation of a real income stream. Even short courses on platforms like Udemy (which often offers free or very cheap courses) can teach skills like SEO (search engine optimization) or social media marketing—crucial for anyone trying to run a business in the digital age. Thus, MOOCs are enabling a form of digital entrepreneurship among prisoners and their families, allowing them to create jobs for themselves.
Freelancing and Remote Work
One immediate way skills translate into financial opportunity is through freelancing. The remote work revolution, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, means that more people than ever before are earning income online from home or other remote locations.
A person who has learned graphic design or coding through free online courses can begin taking small jobs on freelancing platforms as soon as they can access the internet. Remarkably, there have been instances where incarcerated individuals have managed to freelance as writers and earn income even while still in prison 20. Upon release, having built a portfolio of freelance work—albeit often under a pseudonym—is invaluable.
For family members, freelancing can supplement their income while caring for children or supporting an incarcerated loved one. MOOCs provide pathways to acquiring freelance-friendly skills such as writing, digital illustration, programming, and translation, opening doors to gig-based work. For instance, a mother who completes a free online bookkeeping and QuickBooks course can remotely freelance for small businesses, generating income while her partner remains incarcerated.
For formerly incarcerated individuals, remote work can circumvent the background checks and social barriers common in traditional employment scenarios. Online clients typically prioritize quality of work over background, meaning skills learned from MOOCs—such as mobile app coding or logo design—can lead directly to paid projects. These freelance opportunities can blossom into steady employment or even entrepreneurial ventures, enabling returning citizens to start earning immediately upon release with just a laptop and their acquired skills.
Reskilling for a Career Change
MOOCs also empower individuals to pivot their career paths completely, avoiding the considerable expense associated with traditional education. Many prisoners held jobs before incarceration that may no longer be viable or appealing upon release. Similarly, family members may find themselves needing to shift careers due to changed circumstances. Free online courses facilitate this transition.
For example, a former construction worker might pivot to becoming an IT technician by completing a series of IT and cybersecurity MOOCs while incarcerated, achieving knowledge equivalent to a trade school graduate. Historically, such a significant career shift would have required thousands of dollars and formal schooling. Now, it’s achievable through self-directed education.
Tech is particularly popular among incarcerated learners, with programs successfully transforming prisoners into Java programmers or data analysts purely through online coursework. But even non-tech careers benefit. Individuals can prepare for healthcare roles by studying anatomy, medical terminology, or pursuing non-accredited diplomas through MOOCs, positioning them better for later certification.
Employers are increasingly recognizing MOOC credentials. Google’s career certificates, such as IT support, data analytics, and project management, are accepted by Google and a consortium of employers as equivalent to a four-year degree for related roles 21. This acceptance signals a declining stigma around non-traditional degrees, emphasizing the importance of skills and knowledge, which MOOCs abundantly provide.
Thus, prisoners and their families investing in MOOCs can effectively replace expensive formal education, emerging with portfolios, certificates from reputable institutions, and job-ready skills. Over time, this trend helps close societal skills gaps: talent is nurtured everywhere, not just on college campuses, providing employers with skilled workers who have navigated non-traditional paths to success.
How to Get Started with Free Online Courses
Feeling inspired to explore online learning? Here are practical tips to help you or someone you’re supporting, whether incarcerated or not:
Accessing MOOCs from Prison (Where Possible)
Internet access in prisons is often restricted or unavailable, necessitating creativity. Some prisons have introduced secure tablets pre-loaded with educational content, currently available in at least 19 states 22.
If you have access to such a tablet, explore the available educational apps or courses. Providers like Edovo and APDS offer offline courses in trades, GED prep, and some college subjects specifically for prison tablets. Where digital access is prohibited, printed course materials can be requested from organizations like the Prisoner Education Project or participating universities.
Family members can support by downloading MOOC content—videos and transcripts—and mailing printed materials following prison guidelines. Old-school correspondence courses, some now available at low or no cost, can complement online materials. Even limited resources—a single textbook or PDF—can start an educational journey. Inmates often form study groups, sharing and discussing materials collectively.
Outside supporters should act as educational advocates, identifying suitable courses and regularly sending printed lessons or assignments. Encouraging incarcerated learners to write essays or notes and returning these for feedback simulates a classroom experience. Keep an eye out for pilot educational programs your prison might introduce, as many states are actively increasing digital education opportunities within corrections facilities.
Encourage them to write essays or notes and send them back to you for feedback or for safekeeping as a record of their learning. This two-way exchange can mimic the experience of a class to some extent. Also, keep an eye out for any pilot programs your prison might be running—states are increasingly launching initiatives to introduce digital education into prisons (sometimes called “College-in-Prison” programs or similar). Getting on the waiting list for these can be hugely beneficial.
Family Members Can Learn Too
One of the most powerful dynamics is when families learn together. If your loved one in prison is tackling a MOOC, consider enrolling in the same course yourself on the outside. You can study in parallel—when you talk on the phone or exchange letters, discuss the course material, compare notes, and quiz each other. This not only reinforces learning (teaching someone else is the best way to master a subject), but it also strengthens your bond through a shared goal.
For spouses or partners, learning together keeps your relationship more equal and engaging, rather than one person growing academically while the other is left behind. If you have children, involve them too! Many prisoners have reported great joy in knowing their kids are studying the same things they are. For instance, a father taking an astronomy MOOC had his teenage daughter follow the course at home—during calls they’d excitedly talk about galaxies and black holes. Such experiences make the distance feel smaller.
Moreover, family members who gain new skills can improve their immediate financial situation. Perhaps you, as the wife of an inmate, complete a free coding bootcamp or a business course; you might land a better job or start a side business, easing financial stress. When your incarcerated loved one returns, they come back to a family that has grown in knowledge and perhaps income, rather than one that’s been stagnant. Learning is contagious—your commitment to education can motivate your incarcerated family member to persevere in their own studies.
Essentially, approach MOOC learning as a family project. Create a study schedule that aligns with phone call times (so you can review together), share what you’re learning in letters, and celebrate each other’s progress. Education becomes a way of maintaining connection and hope across prison walls.
Best Platforms for Free Learning
There are numerous MOOC platforms and resources available. Below are some top platforms, detailing what each offers so you can choose the best fit:
edX
A platform founded by Harvard and MIT, offering university courses from hundreds of institutions. edX provides everything from introductory courses (like Harvard’s CS50 or UT Austin’s English Composition) to advanced topics (quantum mechanics from MIT, anyone?)23.
- Most courses can be audited for free.
- Offers MicroBachelors programs useful for earning transferable credits (usually requires a fee).
- Access: Inmates can have course videos and materials downloaded by someone on the outside. Others can register with just an email.
Coursera
Similar to edX, Coursera hosts courses from universities and major companies (Google, IBM, etc.), often focused on professional and career-oriented skills24.
- Large catalog covering coding, business, languages, arts, and more.
- Offers Google’s IT Support Certificate and even full degrees (fees typically required).
- Access: Families can directly access online; inmates can use printed syllabi and library resources.
Udemy
An online marketplace featuring courses from individual experts, frequently discounted to very low prices, with some free options25.
- Informal and practical skill-oriented courses (home business, graphic design, QuickBooks).
- Quality varies since instructors are independent.
Khan Academy
A nonprofit offering thousands of free lessons from basic arithmetic to college-level biology and economics26.
- Ideal for foundational learning, GED prep, and school support.
- Video and exercise-based learning, easy to digest.
- Access: No sign-up required to watch, but progress tracking available with account creation.
MIT OpenCourseWare (OCW)
A massive repository of MIT’s course content provided freely online27.
- Offers course syllabi, textbooks, problem sets, and exams.
- Perfect for self-directed learners, allowing a customized learning pace.
- Access: Resources can be printed and mailed or used alongside prison library textbooks.
YouTube
A valuable learning platform with channels like Khan Academy, Crash Course, and freeCodeCamp providing full lectures and tutorials at no cost28.
- Suitable for tablets or offline viewing if loaded onto devices or USB drives (where permitted).
- Useful for creating playlists for incarcerated learners.
Library and Open Educational Resources
Libraries, including prison libraries, offer GED books, CLEP test prep, and other educational materials.
- Platforms like OpenStax29 provide free downloadable textbooks in subjects like algebra, biology, and economics.
- Useful for complementing online courses or creating tailored learning plans.
Getting Started with Online Courses
Starting with online courses can be overwhelming due to the variety available, so consider these practical tips to begin:
- Start Small and Focused: Choose one course aligned with your interests or career goals. Create a manageable study schedule—perhaps dedicating one hour each evening—and commit to it seriously, as if attending an actual class.
- Engage Actively: Take notes, complete exercises, and reflect on the lessons learned. Share notes and progress with an incarcerated loved one to maintain mutual motivation. You could even create a “MOOC club” among incarcerated friends, coordinating via letters to enroll and discuss courses together.
- Leverage Available Resources: Connect with prison education coordinators or volunteer groups who might facilitate group studies or help procure materials. Remember, persistence is key; completing even a single lesson under challenging conditions is a significant achievement. If you need to pause, that’s perfectly fine—the course will wait until you’re ready to continue.
Taking the first step is crucial. Once you begin experiencing the joy and satisfaction of learning something new, it becomes a powerful positive feedback loop. Education offers a meaningful escape from daily stressors, providing skills and confidence that can transform your life.
Conclusion: A Second Chance Through Education
The availability of free online courses (MOOCs) has unlocked doors previously shut to incarcerated individuals and their families. Education has long been considered the great equalizer, and now, unrestricted by tuition fees or campus boundaries, knowledge is accessible to everyone. Your background or past mistakes no longer have to define your intellectual growth or future success.
For prisoners, MOOCs can represent the seed of a new life—a genuine second chance to build professional skills, pursue passions, and prepare for meaningful roles upon reentry into society. For their families, these courses offer empowerment, turning passive waiting into proactive learning and shared growth.
We are already witnessing a reduction in the skills gap as more incarcerated and disadvantaged individuals access quality education. Ten years ago, the idea of state inmates proficiently coding or earning recognized tech certificates would have seemed improbable—but today, this is exactly what’s happening. Upon reentry, formerly incarcerated individuals equipped with practical, self-taught skills can compete effectively in the job market, often matching or even exceeding traditional college graduates.
Likewise, families that fell into economic hardship due to incarceration now have pathways back to stability through free, valuable skills training. This educational transformation benefits everyone by reducing recidivism, increasing employment opportunities, and transforming former inmates into contributing community members and advocates for education.
Starting is often the hardest part. However, every chapter read, every lecture viewed, and every assignment completed moves you closer to genuine education and financial independence. It’s never too late to start learning. Pick something you’re passionate about or a skill you’ve always wanted to master, utilize the vast array of free resources available, and don’t hesitate to seek help—from other learners, family members, or supportive online communities. Celebrate each milestone, whether it’s finishing lectures, solving challenging problems, or completing a course and earning a certificate—each accomplishment builds momentum.
While education alone doesn’t solve every problem faced by prisoners and their families, it remains one of the most effective and proven paths to improved quality of life. Education restores dignity and autonomy, often stripped away by incarceration. Every new skill learned is a form of reclaimed freedom—the freedom to shape your life’s trajectory.
As we welcome an era where even a Harvard education is accessible from behind prison walls, society moves closer to making knowledge universally available. Take your first step today—enroll in an online course, open that book, or play that lecture. Let the journey inspire you, knowing the destination—be it a new career, successful entrepreneurship, or personal enrichment—is well worth the effort.
A second chance through education is within reach, and thousands of prisoners and families are already seizing it through MOOCs. Now, it’s your turn. The possibilities are endless, and your future transformation is just one click—or a mailed package—away.
About Pathways to Success and Georgia Prisoners Speak (GPS)
At Georgia Prisoners Speak (GPS), we believe that education is one of the most powerful tools for breaking cycles of incarceration and building a better future. That’s why we created the Pathways to Success program—a dedicated initiative providing educational resources, skill-building guides, and financial literacy tools tailored specifically for prisoners and their families.
GPS is a prison reform advocacy platform focused on exposing systemic injustices, pushing for policy change, and empowering incarcerated individuals with the knowledge they need to successfully re-enter society. Our educational articles are part of this mission, ensuring that those impacted by incarceration have access to practical guidance that can help them build stability, opportunity, and financial independence.
To explore more resources, visit Pathways to Success.
Sources
1. The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/03/opinion/educating-prisoners-saves-money.html
2. RAND Corporation report on prison education
https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR266.html
3. edX Mission and Vision
4. The Marshall Project on prisoners learning computer science (Harvard CS50 story)
https://www.themarshallproject.org/2019/07/11/the-prisoners-teaching-themselves-to-code
5. Yahoo News feature on incarcerated individuals learning through CS50
https://news.yahoo.com/prison-inmates-teaching-themselves-computer-121515176.html
6. Professor David J. Malan (Harvard CS50 instructor) on prisoner participation
7. MIT OpenCourseWare official site
8. Yale’s Financial Markets Course by Robert Shiller (Coursera)
https://www.coursera.org/learn/financial-markets-global
9. Stanford Machine Learning Course by Andrew Ng (Coursera)
https://www.coursera.org/learn/machine-learning
10. Khan Academy
11. Google IT Support Professional Certificate on Coursera
https://grow.google/certificates/it-support
12. Brian Hamilton Foundation Starter U (entrepreneurship course)
https://brianhamilton.org/starter-u/
13. Inmates to Entrepreneurs
https://inmatestoentrepreneurs.org/
14. Burning Glass report on digital skills in middle-skill jobs
https://www.burning-glass.com/research-project/digital-skills-gap
15. Prison Policy Initiative on tablets in prisons (education initiative)
https://www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2019/01/03/tablets
16. Edovo educational platform (tablets for prisoners)
17. APDS prison education solutions
18. OpenStax free online textbooks
- https://www.classcentral.com/university/ivy-league
- https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/27/opinion/prison-education-online.html
- https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR266.html
- https://www.edx.org/about-us
- https://www.themarshallproject.org/2021/07/01/the-amazing-creative-ways-prisoners-use-contraband-phones
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- https://www.themarshallproject.org/2023/01/19/cell-phones-in-prisons-tiktok-education
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- https://ocw.mit.edu/about/
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