Press Release  Massachusetts Department of Correction Launches Pilot Remote Work Program for Incarcerated Individuals

MILFORD — The Massachusetts Department of Correction (DOC) today announced a new six-month pilot program that will provide two incarcerated individuals with paid, supervised remote work experience through a partnership with the Alliance for Higher Education in Prison. 

Participants will work 20 hours a week and earn $25 an hour, with wages funded by the Alliance and Boston College. The pilot advances the DOC’s Align Initiative, a five-year strategic plan that calls for expanding access to professional work experience and preparing incarcerated individuals to find employment after release. 

The Alliance created two remote positions to support projects that advance its national mission. Following a competitive hiring process, the organization selected qualified applicants who earned bachelor’s degrees through Boston College’s Prison Education Program. 

In their roles, the incarcerated individuals will prepare materials for the 2026 Incarcerated Scholars Conference, support Education in Action spotlight interviews, research higher education in prison programs nationwide, and develop resources that help strengthen educational opportunities for incarcerated learners. The experience will equip them with a range of skills, including research, communication, project management, and resource development. 

“As the workforce continues to evolve, it is important that we prepare incarcerated individuals for the realities of today's job market so they can successfully gain employment when they return to the community,” said DOC Commissioner Shawn Jenkins. “This pilot program gives incarcerated individuals the opportunity to develop professional skills, use workplace technology, and gain valuable experience that will support a successful transition upon release.” 

“When people leave prison with an education, a work history, and financial stability, they're far less likely to end up jobless or back in prison, and far more likely to provide for their families, strengthen their communities, and contribute as taxpayers,” said Ved Price, Executive Director of the Alliance for Higher Education in Prison. “The scholars in these roles earned their bachelor's degrees while incarcerated; now they'll earn a wage and career-ready experience that will make their return home stable and self-sufficient. Our deep thanks to the Massachusetts Department of Correction and Commissioner Shawn Jenkins for their leadership, and to Patrick Conway of Boston College's Prison Education Program, whose year of work in our cohort turned this from possibility into practice.”   

Participants work from a dedicated space at MCI-Shirley, where DOC staff provide in-person supervision to ensure all activities are conducted safely and securely. The Alliance provides training and oversees participants’ professional responsibilities. 

The pilot builds on the DOC’s broader efforts to prepare incarcerated individuals for employment and successful reentry, including: 

• Educational Programming: Instructors from the DOC and partner institutions provide opportunities for students to earn their HiSET, academic certificates and Bachelor’s Degrees. The DOC is operating in-person classes at full capacity and continues to create new opportunities to meet learners at all levels.  
• In-Demand Job Skill Training: Instructors deliver hands-on training in fields such as computer coding (e.g., The Last Mile and Persevere), metal fabrication, printing operations, computer-aided design, optical manufacturing, barbering, culinary arts, diesel mechanics and small engine repair. These programs help students develop practical, employable skills.  
• Tablet Initiative: The DOC’s innovative tablet program equips incarcerated individuals with personal devices that provide access to a wide range of educational and vocational content. Incarcerated individuals participated in more than 446,000 program hours, completed 3,209 courses and conducted 283,000 job searches through DOC-issued tablets in 2025. The tablets supplement in-person learning and help accelerate academic and job readiness across facilities. 
• Enhanced State ID Program: The DOC, aided by a mobile unit administered by the state’s Registry of Motor Vehicles, streamlines the process of providing government-issued photo ID to individuals upon release, removing barriers to reentry and ensuring individuals’ ability to access essential services, secure housing and find employment. 

About the Massachusetts Department of Correction  

The Massachusetts Department of Correction (DOC) manages the custody, care, and rehabilitation of approximately 6,000 individuals across 13 state facilities. The DOC emphasizes evidence-based programming, trauma-informed care, and educational and vocational training to reduce recidivism and is committed to fostering accountability, personal growth, and successful reentry. Through partnerships with community organizations and stakeholders, the DOC delivers innovative services tailored to the diverse needs of incarcerated individuals while advancing equity, inclusion, and long-term public safety. 

About the Alliance for Higher Education in Prison 

The Alliance for Higher Education in Prison is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to higher education for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people. The Massachusetts Department of Correction and the Alliance work in ongoing collaboration to strengthen educational opportunities for incarcerated learners across the Commonwealth. 

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