We’re creating a documentary focused on higher education in prison—and we want you to be a part of it.

Apply to be a part of this exciting opportunity and meet incredible mentors who are eager to share their journey with you. 

Apply by February 2, 2025 at 11:59 PM (PST)

This project is all about amplifying stories that spark incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals’ ideas and dreams for their future by showing what’s possible through these higher ed programs—and teaching the general public how important and impactful these programs can be.

Through this journey, you will:

• Meet and interview inspiring people who have participated in higher ed programs during their time in prison

• Learn about how they navigated their paths during and after incarceration

• Have the chance to speak with others who are working to increase access to higher ed and support better outcomes after incarceration

Of course, you won't just be a participant on this journey—you’ll be part of co-creating this initiative, because your voice is needed in this conversation! And when it comes to telling your story, you'll remain firmly in the driver's seat—you'll only be asked to share to the extent that you’re comfortable with, and we'll work with you to help tell your story in a way that feels true to you.

We’re looking for you if: 

• You have accessed some form of higher education during incarceration (such as career technical education and other postsecondary certifications, associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, master’s and doctoral level degrees)

  • (You do not have to have completed or graduated from a postsecondary program in prison)

• You are age 18+ and are looking for your next steps toward finishing or continuing your education, or finding a career 

• You want to drive the conversation forward and shift the narrative around higher education opportunities in prison

If you think you might not be able to participate (due to parole conditions, financial considerations, parenting or caretaking, or other life responsibilities), or if you think you don’t meet the requirements for this opportunity, we understand—that being said, we encourage you to apply anyway! We’ll work with you to address those barriers and make this opportunity possible.

What is this for? 

You’ll be applying to be part of Roadtrip Nation’s public television series about how people find their path in life.  

This season, we’re shining a light on the stories of people who have navigated the complexities of accessing higher education in prison to illustrate the possibilities and the challenges—and to create greater awareness among people who can directly benefit from these opportunities. 

We’ll also highlight the essential support systems, institutional practices, and policies that can better support incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people to drive awareness and encourage a dialogue about how higher ed programs can evolve to ensure students’ success and wellbeing. 

But this is also so much more than a TV show—this is an opportunity for you to connect with others who share similar life experiences to you, gain exposure to new pathways and possibilities, and talk to people whose stories can change your life. 

(Although this will be a different type of trip, you can check out our Being Free documentary to get an idea of our previous work.)

Timing & travel info

If selected, you’ll get a $3,600 stipend to cover personal expenses and needs during filming—provided by Roadtrip Nation and the Alliance for Higher Education in Prison. We’ll also work with you to make this fit into your life and schedule!

We’ll take into account any parole conditions, financial considerations, parenting, caretaking, or other life responsibilities to make this opportunity possible for you. 

You’ll work with our production team to plan and discuss this story, participate in a team training to prepare for the experience, and film 2-3 conversations close to where you live. Any travel can be limited or we’ll accommodate you if you can’t travel at all. We want to make this work for your life.

If you check out our other documentaries, you may see our signature green RV—for this project, you’ll still get to travel in the RV but you won’t be required to live on it. 

In addition to the $3600 stipend, there may also be future paid opportunities to continue participating in conversations about higher ed in prison at screenings and events to celebrate the documentary. 

Your story is important, and we want to make sure you have the support you need to meet any financial obligations and life responsibilities you have while participating.

Additional Information: 

• We’ll be filming flexibly over early summer 2025, and we’ll work with you to schedule around your life responsibilities and commitments during that time.
• All expenses—including meals, transportation and, accommodations are paid for by Roadtrip Nation. 
• The experience will be filmed, and you’ll be asked to share your thoughts and feelings on-camera throughout the journey. But when it comes to telling your story, you’ll only be asked to share to the extent that you feel comfortable with, and we’ll work with you to help tell your story in a way that feels true to you. The resulting documentary may be shown on public television, and/or used in Roadtrip Nation’s educational tools.
• If selected, you’ll help plan the experience around your interests and career aspirations—so you’ll need to work with Roadtrip Nation to research and book interviews with the career role models you’d like to speak with.
• After filming is over, we’ll provide you with six months of free personalized career coaching and support from InsideTrack to help you pursue your life, education, and career goals.
• We may also reach out to you for future events and paid opportunities to continue the conversation around higher education in prison

Have more questions about who we are, and what our road trips are like? Feel free to reach out to us at roadtrips@roadtripnation.org. 

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