Methods in Psychology and Statistics to Advanced Conflict Transformation and the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality . To earn the degree , students complete an original research project under the advisement of university faculty .
In order to be selected for a Chillon cohort , prospective students apply through the standard Life U application process , as well as by completing an essay and short answer questions demonstrating their desire and willingness to commit to a long-term study program . Each cohort typically has 13-17 students working cooperatively toward the shared goal of educational enrichment . Usually , two cohorts are operational at any given time , one for the associate degree and one for the bachelor ’ s degree .
All cohort students complete Compassionate Integrity Training , a multi-part training program that covers a range of skills from self-regulation and self-compassion to compassion for others and engagement with complex systems , building toward compassionate integrity : the ability to live one ’ s life in accordance with one ’ s values with a recognition of our common humanity and interdependence . Students who wish to do so can be trained as CIT facilitators , and students in Chillon have gone on to facilitate the training for other people in prison and around the world . This young , innovative program has already resulted in 27 college graduates of the Associate program , with 15 of those graduates continuing on to the bachelor ’ s program and hopes of many more students having access to higher education .
Funding for The Chillon Project
In addition to providing full scholarships , Chillon covers all costs for incarcerated students to participate in the program , including textbooks and supplies for all incarcerated students and full-time administrative support on site . The program is supported by generous grants from the Laughing Gull Foundation and the SunTrust Foundation , but it also relies on private , individual donations . Those who wish to donate can do so through the donation portal , knowing that any contribution made will go directly to supporting high-quality , in-person education for people in prison in Georgia .
The Way Forward
In summer 2023 , both current cohorts will be graduating , allowing for a new class of the associate cohort and for the associate students to continue on to the new bachelor ’ s cohort . The Chillon Project often has more people apply than can be admitted , but the goal is to find more ways to provide educational resources for the most people possible while remaining effective and intentional .
To that end , the Chillon Project plans to expand in the 2022 Fall or 2023 Winter Quarter by offering pre-college classes that will enable new students to be accepted each year , for at least the next three years . The subjects offered will be transitional studies classes , ultimately culminating in some for-credit classes that will prepare students to progress to collegelevel work , either while they are incarcerated or after they are released . This expansion will be funded by a federal grant from the Office of Justice Programs and the Department of Justice gifted to GACHEP and Life U as a sub-awardee .
Access to education is one major barrier to success that formerly incarcerated people face after release , but for those of us wondering how to help people in these situations , it is important to remember to allow people who have made mistakes to have opportunities to grow from it and beyond it .
“ I think it is important for people to be willing in their own lives and their own roles to do the same work that Life U has done , of having the courage to remove one of those barriers . If you are ever in a position to hire , rent to , or provide education or housing to somebody who is system-impacted , then treat that person as you would any other applicant ; if they ’ re a good candidate in every other respect , give them a shot ,” said Dr . Fabisiak .
Alumni . life . edu | 2022
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