Pelosi to deliver Northwestern Prison Education Program commencement address on Oct. 16.

September 30, 2026 - 19:53

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will deliver the commencement address for the Northwestern Prison Education Program on October 16. The event marks a significant moment for incarcerated students earning college degrees behind bars.

Pelosi, who became the first woman to serve as speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, has a long record of advocating for criminal justice reform and expanding educational access. Her participation highlights the growing national movement to bring rigorous academic programs into correctional facilities.

The Northwestern Prison Education Program offers incarcerated individuals the chance to earn associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees through courses taught by university faculty. Students complete the same coursework and meet the same standards as their peers on the Evanston campus. The program aims to reduce recidivism, create pathways to employment after release, and restore dignity through learning.

This year's graduating class will include students who have spent years balancing studies with the demands of prison life. Many have overcome limited resources, restricted internet access, and the emotional weight of incarceration to reach this milestone.

Pelosi's address is expected to focus on second chances, the value of education as a public good, and the need for continued investment in prison higher education. The ceremony will take place at the Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill, Illinois. Family members, faculty, and corrections officials will attend. The event is not open to the general public.