Getting a B.A. Behind Bars

The transcript discusses the Bard Prison Initiative, a program offering liberal arts education to inmates in a maximum-security prison. It highlights the high incarceration rates in the US and the transformative impact of education on inmates like Anthony Cardenales. The program's selective admission process focuses on intellectual ambition rather than traditional metrics. Success stories of graduates finding employment post-incarceration are shared, emphasizing the value of critical thinking and liberal education. The initiative aims to redirect impulses and nurture rationality, preparing inmates for life after prison.

What unique setting was the Bard Prison Initiative graduation ceremony held in?

• A maximum-security prison

• A public park

• A community center

• A university campus

What is the key criterion for admission into the Bard Prison Initiative?

• SAT scores

• High school GPA

• Intellectual curiosity and ambition

• Previous college experience

How do the academic courses in the Bard Prison Initiative compare to those outside?

• They are shorter in duration

• They focus only on vocational skills

• They are nearly identical

• They are less rigorous

What field did Michael Flournoy earn his BA in?

• Computer Science

• History

• Environmental Studies

• Literature

What is the unemployment rate for individuals over 25 with a BA degree?

• 7%

• 4.4%

• 14.3%

• 10%

What is the main goal of the Bard Prison Initiative according to its philosophy?

• To focus on sports and recreation

• To reduce prison sentences

• To offer a liberal education that fosters critical thinking

• To provide job-specific training

What is the primary benefit of a liberal arts education as suggested by the Bard Prison Initiative?

• It guarantees a high-paying job

• It prepares individuals to adapt to various job markets

• It reduces the need for further education

• It focuses on technical skills

What major did Carlos Rosado pursue while in the Bard Prison Initiative?

• Environmental Studies

• Computer Science

• History

• Literature

What is the main challenge faced by Bard graduates when reintegrating into society?

• Limited social skills

• Stigma of being an ex-convict

• Lack of job opportunities

• Inadequate education

What is the significance of the Bard Prison Initiative's success stories?

• They show that education in prison is ineffective

• They suggest that education should be limited to certain inmates

• They prove that only a few inmates benefit from education

• They highlight the potential for inmates to secure meaningful employment