Ohio State is in the process of revising websites and program materials to accurately reflect compliance with the law. While this work occurs, language referencing protected class status or other activities prohibited by Ohio Senate Bill 1 may still appear in some places. However, all programs and activities are being administered in compliance with federal and state law.

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The Ohio Prison Education Exchange Project (OPEEP) is an innovative teaching and learning program designed to bridge differences through college courses in prison settings.

OPEEP has three primary areas of work: initiating and administering a newly accredited embedded degree program located at the Ohio Reformatory for Women (ORW), supporting combined enrollment courses that bring campus and incarcerated students together for credit-bearing classes in prison locations, and developing and offering campus initiatives that seek to inform campus communities on the impacts of mass incarceration in Ohio and the US. Together, we are building prison-to-college pathways through innovative teaching & collaborative learning in Ohio prison settings

OPEEP seeks to provide a route to higher education that is forged through compassion, collective practice and community engagement.

Recent News

OPEEP students dancing

Ohio State brings dance, community to prison

Story by Franny Lazarus, Ohio State News


Assistant Professor of Dance Irvin Gonzalez has been passionate about advocacy for as long as he can remember.

 “Growing up, I would…

Tiyi and Mary award photo

OPEEP Recognized as a 2025 Program of Excellence

OPEEP was selected by the Office of Outreach & Engagement as one of Ohio State’s top three 2025 Programs of Excellence in Engaged Scholarship. This award recognizes programs who are making…

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LAM Collective Hosts Loretta Ross

On March 24th, OPEEP and the FREE Center had the honor of hosting prominent scholar and activist Loretta Ross, one of the founding members of SisterSong and Women of Color Reproductive Justice…

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Article Highlight: Nearly 50 of My Relatives Have Been Incarcerated

TERRANCE HINTON wrote the following article for PJP. Click the link below to read the full article. 

https://prisonjournalismproject.org/2024/09/25/nearly-50-relatives-have-served-time-…