Breaking Barriers
By Kristel Cosio
At one of the world’s most prestigious universities, a group of students overcome their pasts to actualize their bright futures
Breaking Barriers follows a group of system-impacted students at Cal-Berkeley who face significant challenges as formerly incarcerated and system-impacted individuals pursuing higher education.
The film also highlights the importance of policy change to dismantle systemic barriers and support education for the formerly incarcerated.
About the Issue
Incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals face significant barriers to education, including limited access to educational programs, lack of resources, and the stigma associated with a criminal record. These obstacles often prevent them from obtaining valuable skills or credentials, hindering their ability to successfully reintegrate into society and find stable employment upon release.
Organizations like Underground Scholars creates a pathway for incarcerated, formerly incarcerated and system impacted individuals into higher education, building a prison-to-school pipeline through recruitment, retention, advocacy, wellness, and career services.