
Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program
About the program
The School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Arizona State University (ASU) and the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry (ADCRR) are pleased to offer students the opportunity to enroll in the Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program. The next class will be offered in the spring of 2026.
The Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program is unlike any other class offered at ASU. The class combines ASU students (outside students) with an equal number of incarcerated students (inside students) at an Arizona State Prison Complex facility. Both ASU and incarcerated students have the same syllabus and academic requirements, and students learn about crime and justice together through collaboration and dialogue.
Inside-Out was founded by Lori Pompa at Temple University with the first class taking place in the Philadelphia Prison System in 1997. The program has since grown to include over 1,600 trained instructors from nearly every U.S. state and 15 countries reaching over 65,000 students. The Spring 2016 class taught at ASU was the first time the course was taught in the state of Arizona. In 2022, the program received the ASU President's Medal for Social Embeddedness.
To be considered for the course, students are required to fill out an application. Students who make the short list of applicants will then complete a brief interview with the course facilitators, who are responsible for selecting the final roster of students for the course. Class size is very limited.
Barrett, The Honors College, also offers Inside-Out courses.
If you have questions about the Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program, contact Dr. Wright ([email protected])
View frequently asked questions about the program below.
What is Inside-Out?
The Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program is a national program that creates a dynamic partnership between institutions of higher learning and correctional systems. This course focuses on conversations that transform our approaches to the understanding of crime, justice, freedom, inequality, and other issues of social concern. Learn more about the National Inside-Out program.
What is the time commitment for this course?
Students should be available from approximately 2 PM – 8 PM on class days, which meet once per week, to accommodate travel and processing in and out of the institution. In addition to meeting for the course, students are required to read 3 full length books and complete 4 writing assignments.
What fees are associated with this course?
There are no fees aside from the cost of books. Students will be provided an Inside-Out t-shirt that is to be worn to each class meeting.
How many books are required for this course?
There are three books required for CRJ 317 that vary by semester. Books must be obtained prior to the start of class.
Do I receive credit for this course?
CRJ 317 provides you with 3 credits of coursework.
How do I register for this course?
Interested students for the course must first fill out and submit the application prior to the application due date. After applying, the course facilitators will conduct interviews with selected applicants and then invite 10 Arizona State University (ASU) students to participate in the Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program. Selected students will then be allowed to register for the course in the same way that they register for other courses at ASU.
How are ‘inside’ students selected?
The ‘inside’ students will be selected in a process similar to ‘outside’ students from ASU. ‘Inside’ students will fill out an application that will be reviewed by correctional staff. Course facilitators then interview the selected pool of applicants. Facilitators and prison staff will then invite 10 incarcerated students to participate in the course.
How do students get to the prison?
Transportation in this course will be provided. Students will be expected to meet at or near University Center on ASU’s downtown campus (411 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004) for the trip to the institution.
What is the dress code for going into the prison?
Students will be required to wear their Inside-Out t-shirt to each class meeting. In addition, all students must wear closed-toe shoes and pants. Every student will be required to carry his or her personal identification for entrance into the facility. As per ADCRR policy, students “shall not wear any article of clothing fabricated with spandex-like material or clothing that is orange in color. Sheer, see through and/or open-netted clothing is prohibited.” In addition, students are prohibited from “wearing any brown-colored clothing that resembles the clothing worn by Department security staff, including khaki-colored clothing, solid light tan or light brown-colored shirts or dark brown-colored pants or slacks.”
Will there be any contact between the incarcerated and ASU students outside the classroom?
No. Inside-Out is premised on semi-anonymity (first names only). Each student enrolled in the course will be required to sign a document agreeing that he/she will not attempt to learn more and/or contact ‘inside’ students in the course. Any student who attempts to make contact or learn another student’s personal information will be removed from the class.
What security level is the prison for the course and what are some of the reasons why people are there?
The women's facility is a medium security unit, housing approximately 575 women. The women have been incarcerated for felonies that include all types of criminal activity. Individuals arrested for sex-related crimes, however, are excluded from participation in this course.
The men's facility is a medium security unit, housing approximately 2,000 men. The men there have been incarcerated for felonies that include all types of criminal activity. Individuals arrested for sex-related crimes, however, are excluded from participation in this course.
Is there anything dangerous about going inside of the prison?
Above all else, safety is the number one concern. The Inside-Out program was designed and created to keep students as safe as possible. Both ‘inside’ and ‘outside’ students will undergo an interview process and orientation to ensure integrity and safety in the course. While it is important to always remain cognizant of the prison setting, students are carefully monitored at all times by the instructor(s), security cameras, and prison security staff.
I was arrested for something in the past, does that exclude me from being in this course?
No. It is important, however, to disclose any past arrests on the application form so that ADCRR and ASU can make an informed decision when selecting participants. All students accepted into the course will be required to undergo a background check.
Download our Inside-Out Brochure to learn more.
Inside-Out Brochure
Watch our Inside-Out program graduations:
Learn more about some of our class final projects:
The Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program at Arizona State University brings together university students and incarcerated individuals to learn about issues of crime and justice over a full semester. The culmination of this community-based learning is an actionable project designed to improve our correctional system.
Spring 2025 - "United Through Art" {Ink}arcerated Art Show Program
View the program here.
Fall 2023 - Legacy: A People-First Magazine
View the first edition of Legacy here.
Fall 2019 - “We Are Inside-Out” Letter Campaign
The Fall 2019 class wanted to ensure that their experiences and the lessons they learned in class were shared by others. The class collaborated on the creation of a letter that outlined everything they learned and how it could benefit the lives of everyone in the community, as well as designed a sticker to support the message. The letter and sticker were then sent nationwide to families, friends, organizations, politicians, celebrities, and media outlets.
View the letter here.
Fall 2018 - Motivational Justice Task Force (MJTF)
The Fall 2018 class believed that by taking a new, collaborative approach to enhancing the prison environment that more would be accomplished to benefit both the population and the staff of the unit. This prompted the development of the Motivational Justice Task Force (MJTF), a collaborative working group consisting of equal numbers of ASU students, staff members, and incarcerated men. The group developed projects that would directly impact the lives of those living and working on the unit, guided by the pillars of motivational justice.
Spring 2016 - Impact of Crime on Victims Class (ICVC)
The Spring 2016 class was able to resurrect a popular program not offered in the prison in years: the Impact of Crime on Victims Class (ICVC). This class is centered around restorative justice and those who choose to participate in the class listen to victims share their stories.
Spring 2016 - “In Today, Out Tomorrow”: Resources for Successful Reentry
The Spring 2016 class believed that a better knowledge of available resources could help individuals stay out of prison. The class put together a website for incarcerated individuals who are soon to be released, complete with resources such as hotlines, employment opportunities, and tools for veterans.