Getting a B.A. Behind Bars

The transcript discusses the Bard Prison Initiative, a program offering liberal arts education to inmates in a maximum-security prison. It highlights the high incarceration rates in the US and the transformative impact of education on inmates like Anthony Cardenales. The program's selective admission process focuses on intellectual ambition rather than traditional metrics. Success stories of graduates finding employment post-incarceration are shared, emphasizing the value of critical thinking and liberal education. The initiative aims to redirect impulses and nurture rationality, preparing inmates for life after prison.

How does the text describe the difference in student engagement between inmates and traditional students?

What future aspirations do some graduates have after completing their degrees?

What is the significance of the phrase 'liberal education' in the context of the program?

What personal transformations do some inmates express regarding their education?