THE VILLANOVA PROGRAM AT SCI PHOENIX

Since 1972, Villanova University has offered the only degree granting program in Pennsylvania for incarcerated individuals.

The Villanova Program at State Correctional Institution Phoenix (SCI Phoenix) is one of the oldest continuously running degree-granting prison education programs in the United States.

Eligible individuals have a chance to attain a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, gaining the same critical thinking, life-long learning and moral reflection skills that are hallmarks of a traditional, on-campus Villanova education.

The program has a transformative impact on the students it serves. Alumni who return to their families and communities often flourish—obtaining jobs and using their education to give back to the community. In addition to low recidivism, Villanova researchers and professors at SCI Phoenix cite community building, social capital and political participation as additional benefits of the program, allowing alumni to develop relationships and become engaged democratic citizens—whether they remain incarcerated or re-enter society.

ALUMNI NETWORK

Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat. All alumni of the Villanova Program at SCI Phoenix are part of the Villanova alumni community. Graduates have access to networking and career services through the Career Center, and there is a SCI Phoenix chapter in VUAA with its own board of alumni—creating a shared space for graduates of the program even during their incarceration.

SCI PHOENIX MILESTONES

1972

In the lifetime of the program, more than 105 faculty have taught 378 courses

1988

Villanova conferred its first Bachelor of Arts degree at SCI Graterford

TODAY

127

degrees conferred to 96 incarcerated individuals

students are enrolled in the Villanova Program and attend free, in-person classes

formerly incarcerated Villanova alumni have returned home

WHO WE ARE

MARCO MALDONADO

Marco Maldonado (1973-2023) was convicted at age 19 of a crime that he did not commit. While he was incarcerated at SCI Graterford, he participated in the Villanova Program and earned a BA in Liberal Studies in 2013. During his incarceration, he also earned an MA in Humanities from California State University – Dominguez-Hills, with a focus on Historiography. Maldonado successfully litigated his own wrongful conviction in both federal and state courts in Pennsylvania, resulting in his release after 28 years. He was also the president of the Villanova Alumni Association within the prison, the existence of which is unique to this program. After his release, Maldonado utilized the knowledge he gained working as a legal apprentice for the Phillips Black law firm in Philadelphia, focusing especially on wrongful convictions.

AKEIL ROBERTSON

Akeil Robertson enrolled in the Villanova program in 2013 and discovered a passion for art through classes and workshops at SCI Graterford and, later, SCI Phoenix. Since his release in 2019, Robertson has worked for Mural Arts Philadelphia, the nation’s largest public art program, which seeks to inspire change in people, places and practices through the power of art. He currently works as a staff photographer and is the assistant coordinator for the Guild Program in the Restorative Justice Department of Mural Arts Philadelphia.

GEORGE TRUDEL

George Trudel, co-founder and executive director of Pennsylvania C.A.R.E.S., was sentenced to life in prison without parole in 1988 and served 31 years before Governor Tom Wolf commuted his sentence in 2019. He participated in the Villanova Program during his incarceration at SCI Graterford, receiving a BA in Liberal Studies in 2012. Individuals sentenced to life without parole are not considered eligible for many postsecondary education programs; however, Villanova considers all students for enrollment and will accept those serving life sentences. After his release, Trudel was appointed to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania, working as the commutation specialist for Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman. Using the skills he developed with Villanova, he worked directly with men and women across the state to assist them with preparing applications for potential commutation of their sentences.

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