About Us

The Educational Justice Institute (TEJI) is a 501(c)(3) that provides transformative learning experiences for students. TEJI’s primary goal is to improve the quality of life for incarcerated women and men through education, while simultaneously raising the social consciousness of MIT students. Philosophical life skills courses, computer science courses, and social science courses prepare incarcerated students for successful reentry.  The combination of higher education and technology to improve digital literacy skills empowers individuals to redefine their identities and reach their potential as they prepare for reentry. Courses offered teach essential social-emotional skills to help students manage emotions, feel empathy, and build healthy relationships.

As visionary leaders and change agents, MIT students also benefit greatly from this experience. Through TEJI, MIT students gain firsthand knowledge of the collateral consequences of mass incarceration in America. Students also learn the importance of community engagement through the lens of empathy and compassion. Combined learning opportunities through TEJI provide a deeper level of learning for all. 

The Educational Justice Institute (TEJI) originated from the Experimental Student Group (ESG) MIT prison initiative that Lee Perlman established in the late 1980s. In 2018, Carole Cafferty joined Lee at MIT, and together, they launched TEJI.  Since then, TEJI has grown and evolved to meet the needs of students and increase learning opportunities for all students. TEJI leadership has gone on to create  and manage the Massachusetts Prison Education Consortium (MPEC) for continued momentum and collaboration.

Courses & Special Projects

TEJI offers an expansive selection of courses that cover a wide range of topics, from emotional intelligence to urban sociology to computer programming using Python. This diversity in subjects is driven by TEJI’s belief that all learners deserve the opportunity to study subjects that inspire them. For this same reason, TEJI also works on special projects and enrichment opportunities, including the Augmented Reality Mural Project and the PKG Criminal Justice Immersion Spring Break program.

Massachusetts Prison Education Consortium (MPEC)

TEJI manages the Massachusetts Prison Education Consortium (MPEC), a partnership of Massachusetts-based higher education organizations, government agencies, and businesses collectively responsible for establishing and sustaining an education pipeline that begins during incarceration and continues into the community. MPEC provides an innovative vehicle for streamlining the delivery of instruction, creating connections for sharing best practices, and expanding awareness of issues in prison-based education.

But we need your help to do more…