Liberal Arts in Correctional Facilities Project

The mission of the Colorado College Liberal Arts in Correctional Facilities Initiative (LACF) is to address inequities in higher education by expanding access to higher education for incarcerated persons. 

Through the LACF, Colorado College faculty offer for-credit courses at no cost in the Youthful Offenders System (YOS) facility in Pueblo, which serves a population of 19 to 25-year-olds.  Student receive credit through Pueblo Community College (PCC), and courses are guaranteed to transfer as requirements toward associates or bachelor's degrees at any Colorado public institution of higher learning.  The foundation of LACF is a 3-way partnership between Colorado College, the Colorado Department of Corrections, and Pueblo Community College (PCC).

History and Courses Offered

In 2014 the Colorado College History department received a $200,000 Social Issues and Historical Contexts grant supporting the examination of mass incarceration in the US, with a particular focus on Colorado.  This grant supported a range of educational events, projects and activities, and evolved into a robust learning community of students, staff, and faculty committed not only to understanding mass incarceration – but changing that system.  Over time, learning evolved into informed action.   

In 2014, Professor of History Carol Neel began conversations with the Colorado Department of Corrections (DOC) that progressed into the core idea of the LACF. The first course was taught by Dr. Neel in the fall of 2017, and CC began to offer a semesterly rotation of math, humanities, and writing courses - courses prioritized by the Colorado Department of Corrections (DOC). Moving forward, the DOC welcomes any course within the Pueblo Community College Guaranteed Transfer menu.  


Course and Instructor History

2017-2022: Core Course Rotation

For the first five years of our partnership with the Department of Corrections, Colorado College instructors offered a three-course round of mathematics, humanities, and writing courses - courses prioritized by the Colorado Department of Corrections (DOC). 

2017 Spring Hum. 121 Introduction to Humanistic Study Dr. Carol Neel
2017 Fall Math 121 College Algebra Dr. Mike Siddoway
2018 Spring Eng. 121 Writing for College Dr. Tracy Santa
2019 Spring Eng. 121 Writing for College Dr. Tracy Santa
2019 Fall Math 121 College Algebra Dr. Beth Malmskog
2019 Fall Eng. 121 Writing for College Dr. Tracy Santa
2020 Spring Hum. 121 Introduction to Humanistic Study Dr. Carol Neel
2021 Spring Math 121 College Algebra Dr. Mike Siddoway
2021 Fall Eng. 121 Writing for College Dr. Alberto Hernandez-Lemus
2022 Spring Hum. 121 Introduction to Humanistic Study Dr. Carol Neel

 

2022-Present: All Disciplines

Due to changing contexts and needs, beginning in the spring of 2022 the DOC are now open to and interested in CC faculty and staff educators offering any course within the Pueblo Community College Guaranteed Transfer menu.  CC will continue to offer core courses in mathematics, writing, and humanities, interspersed with other disciplines within the liberal arts.

2022 Spring Psy. 101 Introductions to Psychological Science Dr. John Horner
2022 Fall Math 121 College Algebra Dr. Mike Siddoway
2023 Spring Eng. 121 Writing for College Dr. Tyler Cornelius
2023 Fall Geo. 1005 World Regional Geography Matt Cooney
2024 Spring Art 1110 Arts Appreciation Dr. Nancy Rios
2024 Fall Lit. 2059 African American Literature Dr. Heidi Lewis 

Get Involved

If you are a CC faculty member or staff member with a background in education, and are interested in teaching in the Liberal Arts in Correctional Facilitates initiative, please fill out the Educator Interest Form, below. 

If you are interested in supporting the program and have the financial means to do so, please consider a donation to the program. 

Report an issue - Last updated: 08/27/2024