2% Recidivism: The Hudson Link Model

Industry

Reentry

About

For nearly 30 years, Hudson Link for Higher Education has provided higher education opportunities to incarcerated people in New York State, as well as reentry resources and support upon their release.

Results

With 2,000 graduates, Hudson Link has become a premier advocate for higher education within corrections. Five states have partnered with Hudson Link to replicate their success across the country.

Relationship to Bob Barker

Foundation Grantee

www.hudsonlink.org/

2,000

Graduates

Lifetime Recidivism Rate

34%

% Pursuing Graduate Work

86%

Employed in Behavioral Science

Bob Barker Foundation said, "Talk to me. What's the need this year?" That kind of partnership is rare and has kept our doors open, even during the toughest times."

Sean Pica

President of Hudson Link

About Hudson Link

In the early 90s there were nearly 350 college education programs within prisons. Federal Pell grant cuts eliminated all but 8 by the year 2000. Hudson Link began as a grass roots effort of a few men at Sing Sing Correctional Facility. With critical help from Wardens and volunteers, the men worked to restore college education within prisons. Hudson Link's story is filled with examples of people who went against the norm and did what was right. Wardens who took a chance, made connections, and pulled strings to help make this a reality. 30 years later the program has expanded to five NY State Correctional facilities, has awarded over 1,000 degrees, and has reduced recidivism from 67% to 2%.

Continuing Impact

Hudson Link's Alumni Network continues to expand. Today, they are able to boast about the first formerly incarcerated individual to become ADA in the Bronx. The alumni network and leadership within Hudson Link continue to be influential, with regular engagement from the state officials, judges, and policy makers. This proves that good work will be noticed and rewarded! On top of providing the crucial education within prisons, they also provide financial assistance after release. If an individual is released before they are finished, tuition assistance and financial assistance for any "blockers" (childcare, etc.) are given so that the individual can earn their degree. They have also begun renovating homes (with the help of alumni), to provide rent-free housing for students post release. These are critical elements of release that are taken care of at no charge to the individual! Their impact is only beginning, and the expansion of the alumni network is surely going to be a force multiplier.

Bob Barker Foundation

The Bob Barker Foundation was founded in 2009 with the vision to reduce recidivism. We aim to develop and support programs that help incarcerated individuals successfully reenter society and stay out for life. The foundation is funded through donations of the Bob Barker Company. At least 10% of company profit is tithed into the foundation each year and that money is then provided to organizations like Hudson Link in the form of annual grants. The foundation has granted over $10 million dollars to 543 organizations since 2009.

Hudson Link and Bob Barker Foundation

Hudson Link became a grantee of the Bob Barker Foundation in 2016. Hudson Link is one of the premier organizations focused on reentry. What they have been able to do is truly incredible. They have helped prove out that higher education is the number 1 way to reduce recidivism. The partnership goes beyond money exchanging hands. Sean Pica has been a guest speaker on Bob Barker Foundation webinars, attended Bob Barker Company Corrections Round Tables, and he will also be attending the first ever Reentry Summit event this coming April. Together, we are working diligently to make the right connections and spread the right message to ensure that residents within a correctional facility have hope of a second chance once they are released.

"For nearly a decade, the Bob Barker Foundation has proudly supported Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison because of their unwavering commitment to educational excellence, human dignity, and transformational impact. Sean Pica's leadership exemplifies what visionary, integrity-driven service looks like in the reentry and justice-impacted education space"

Kurtis Taylor
Executive Director - Bob Barker Foundation

To Our Customers

Our customers are on the front lines of this important work. They see daily what is happening and know all to well the importance of providing support to those who are released. Please know that we are in that fight with you. A part of every dollar spent with Bob Barker Company is being reinvested back into your communities. We know how difficult your job is and we want to see the corrections industry changed for the better!