Level: Prison Education Made Simple, Across The Country
- Melissa Dickerson
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
At Honest Jobs, our mission is to provide meaningful employment for people with criminal records. We know that a strong foundation in education and job skills while incarcerated is a critical part of that journey. That's why we're proud to highlight the work of Level, a non-profit organization that is making a huge impact on incarcerated individuals by providing accessible, in-demand education while on the inside.
A New Approach to Prison Education
Level offers a unique and impactful prison education program that reaches individuals in over 1,000 correctional facilities across the United States. Level’s educational curriculum is driven by what is most in demand today among people in prison who want to prepare for a brighter, stronger future after release. Level’s program specializes in being able to reach nearly any person at any prison, including people at facilities without any educational programming and people who can’t access programming at their facility. Level can even serve people in administrative segregation, high-security and solitary confinement units, where traditional educational opportunities are often non-existent.
Unlike conventional classroom programs, Level's curriculum is delivered through a low-cost, correspondence education format. Learners receive printed guides that serve as a 10-hour study program on a specific topic. Once a guide is completed, the learner sends their quiz answers back to Level to receive a certificate and a new guide. This innovative model is designed to be widely accessible, breaking down the barriers that often prevent incarcerated individuals from accessing education while in prison. It's an effective way to bring transformative learning directly to people who need it most, regardless of their location within the system.
Building Skills for a Brighter Future
Level's content library is strategically developed – based on what is most in-demand – to provide skills that are directly relevant to post-incarceration success and building financial stability. Their offerings include:
Entrepreneurship – This curriculum helps aspiring small business owners learn how to develop a business concept, know what kind of business structure to use, manage finances and market their products or services. It empowers individuals with the skills to start their own ventures and create a path to self-sufficiency.
Financial Literacy – This series is created to cover essential topics like setting goals, tracking money, saving, managing debt, building credit and understanding the risks of predatory lenders. The series will culminate with topics on asset ownership, investing and wealth creation. This knowledge is crucial for anyone re-entering society, as it provides the foundation for building a stable financial future and avoiding common pitfalls.
Computer Science – Level’s computer science curriculum introduces learners to the fundamentals of computer science – without needing a computer or internet!
Meditation – This personal development guide helps develop simple, powerful life skills that anyone can use to reduce stress, increase connection, improve relationships and gain pathways to happiness.
Families And Supporters Can Enroll Their Incarcerated Loved Ones In Level
Level makes it easy for people on the outside to get their loved one in prison started using Level’s prison education program, with no restrictions or waiting lists. This can be a great way to build connection while preparing for a brighter future.
One-Time Fee – There is a one-time enrollment fee to cover the cost of printing and shipping the educational materials. This fee gives the learner access to Level's content library and gives the families and supporters access to real-time progress.
Complete the Form – To enroll someone, find the loved one’s prison location on Level’s website and fill out the enrollment form. If you have questions before enrolling, you can ask Level’s staff before continuing.
Shipping and Communication – After a person is enrolled, Level sends the first educational guide within 1-3 business days. Families and supporters receive automated text messages or emails to notify them when new content is shipped and when a certificate is earned. Families and supporters can log in to Level’s website to view the learner’s progress.
More Than Just a Program – It's a Community
Level's founders, Alex Wright and Kate Mullan, have a decade of experience in prison literacy and education. They founded the organization on a core vision for a world where people in prison build brighter futures through transformative education. The organization's philosophy is rooted in putting people first, ensuring access for all and building community to combat the isolation of incarceration. This mission aligns perfectly with Honest Jobs' commitment to fair-chance hiring and helping currently and formerly incarcerated people quickly secure employment and access essential support services, providing a foundation for success.
By partnering with organizations like Level, we can work together to create a more just and equitable society where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
