Mass incarceration is increasingly being seen as a public health issue, and students enrolled in Bard Prison Initiative classes have demonstrated a strong interest in the field, with many continuing their public health education and finding jobs in the field upon release. Through ongoing relationship with various schools of public health, BPI has increased the number of public health courses. The BPI/Tow Fellowship in Public Health formalizes a link between BPI and Columbia’s Mailman School of Public Health. Each year, 5 – 8 formerly incarcerated students will be selected to participate in a 10-month education and training program under the supervision of a Public Health Manager working collaboratively with the Re-entry director so that more returning citizens can bring both academic credentials and valuable life experience to improving the well being of their communities.
