Formerly Incarcerated College Graduates Network

OVERVIEW 

The Formerly Incarcerated College Graduates Network (FICGN) is a 501(c)(3) organization that promotes equity, fairness, and inclusion in quality postsecondary education and professional employment opportunities for people directly impacted by the carceral system. With over 1,000 members in over 40 U.S. states, FICGN acts as a vehicle for continuous transformation, empowerment, and freedom through postsecondary education completion for convicted people.

MISSION

FICGN’s mission is to promote the education and empowerment of formerly incarcerated people through a collective community. We strive to unite every person in the world directly impacted by incarceration who has graduated or aspires to graduate with a credential from a recognized institution of higher education, pulling together our resources, knowledge, and expertise to achieve high-impact change in the lives of all persons impacted by incarceration.

We aim to exist as the largest, most diverse network of formerly incarcerated scholars working to defy stereotypes and stigma, and eliminate unjust policy and practices in education and employment--two of the most important factors in achieving success in reentry. By fostering leadership in education, policy change, justice reform, and many other areas of work in the private and nonprofit sectors, we demonstrate the value of our lived experiences and the desire to be at the forefront of conversations and decisions that directly impact us. 

We accomplish this goal by:

• Promoting the advancement of prison and post-prison postsecondary education
• Strengthening social networks among formerly incarcerated people
• Challenging societal perceptions of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people
• Advocating for policy change that positively impacts system-involved people
• Working with a diverse group of stakeholders to achieve shared and individual goals