Correctional Education

Opening doors. Expanding hearts. Broadening minds.

MATC partners with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections to deliver transformative educational experiences to justice-impacted individuals.

Programs Offered

MATC offers several programs to help justice-impacted individuals take charge of their futures and shape their destinies.

Associate of Arts Degree (link)

Associate of Science Degree (link)

Welding Technical Diploma (link)

Associate degrees are 60 credit programs and MATC graduated 146 Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees, with several scholars earning both degrees.

Classes are virtual. Preference is given to students who:

Are within 2-5 years of mandatory release
Demonstrate a financial need
Have little or no financial support available from family
Have a positive conduct report history

In-person Welding courses are offered for individuals at two of the state's correctional centers. The Second Chance Welding Fundamentals is a 17-credit certificate program and has been a huge success since the program started in 2018:

81 justice-impacted scholars have earned certificates
Of the 75, seven have earned Welding Technical diplomas
100% of individuals in the program have found employment after release
More than half of 227 participants have graduated with a 3.5 or greater GPA

Benefits of Correctional Education

Education in prison breaks cycles of crime and reincarceration. Almost all people in prison will eventually return to their communities. Participation in correctional education:

Reduces the risk that a scholar will commit new crimes and return to prison by about 40 percent.
Helps stabilize individuals and families.
Prevents cycles of crime.
Creates safer communities.
Increases the odds of employment for a person recently released, contributing to the economy and helping employers fill workforce gaps.

Saves taxpayer money. It costs approximately $45,000 to incarcerate someone for a year in Wisconsin. The RAND research institute found that every $1 spent on prison education saves $4-5 in reincarceration costs.

Success Stories

‘I’m Reborn’: MATC Helped Student Recently Released From Prison Rebuild His Life

Thanks to Milwaukee Area Technical College’s Second Chance Pell grant program, Tanzel Norman earned an asso...

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With MATC Welding Certificates, Future Brighter for 10 Men in the Correctional System

Ten men in the care of the Wisconsin Department of Corrections who chose to improve their lives by particip...

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For Five In The Correctional System, Brighter Future Possible With MATC Welding Certificates

On May 22, five men in the care of the Wisconsin Department of Corrections received welding certificates at...

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Inmates earn MATC welding certificates thanks to 'Second Chance' program

Deandre Davis was one of eight men in the custody of the Wisconsin Department of Corrections who earned cer...

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Re-Entry Services

MATC offers classes, technology, materials, employment partnerships and support services to justice-impacted individuals, including those who were formerly incarcerated.

Our goal is to reduce barriers for successful re-entry, increase employability skills and opportunities, and reduce recidivism.

Visit MATC (link)

Apply Now (link)

Admissions and Registration (link)

Financial Aid (link)

Orientation (link)

Student Life and Resources (link)

WTCS-Re-Entry from Correctional Institutions (link)

Donate Now

Your financial support would mean so much for our program, our directly-impacted scholars, and our communities. Your donation can make an immediate impact.

Over two-thirds of MATC students receive financial aid, scholarships and/or grants.

Without the generosity of donors, many MATC students would not be able to continue. You can help. Invest in student success.

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