The Petey Greene Program

The Petey Greene Program (PGP) is a U.S. nonprofit organization founded in 2008 to support the academic goals of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people through high-quality, volunteer tutoring programs. The organization also educates its volunteers about the injustices within the carceral system, encouraging them to engage in justice-oriented activism.

Mission and Objectives

The primary mission of the Petey Greene Program is to provide educational opportunities to those in carceral settings, focusing particularly on the pre-collegiate level. This includes supporting individuals in achieving their high school equivalency diplomas (GED or HiSET) or completing their high school diplomas. By emphasizing academic preparation for post-secondary education, the PGP aims to disrupt the cycle of low educational attainment and unemployment among formerly incarcerated people.

Programs and Services

The PGP links volunteer tutors from local universities and communities with incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals at prisons, jails, and reentry programs. The organization operates in several regions, including five states and the District of Columbia, partnering with institutions such as Brown University and George Washington University.

Key Initiatives

• Tutoring Services: The PGP offers personalized educational support in subjects such as math, reading, writing, social studies, and science. Volunteer tutors undergo extensive training to ensure they are equipped to provide effective assistance in carceral settings.

• Justice Education Series: This series aims to raise awareness among volunteers and the public about the root causes of injustice in the criminal legal system. It includes workshops and events that promote systemic change and often feature presentations by individuals with lived experience of incarceration.

Impact and Recognition

Since its inception, the Petey Greene Program has tutored over 1,600 incarcerated students and has engaged more than 3,500 volunteers from over 40 partner universities. The organization's efforts have been recognized through grants and partnerships, contributing significantly to social innovation and educational justice.

Origins and Namesake

The Petey Greene Program is named after Ralph Waldo "Petey" Greene, a prominent Black media personality, community organizer, and civil rights activist who highlighted structural inequalities and systemic racism. Greene, who himself experienced incarceration, inspired the program's focus on addressing systemic barriers through education and advocacy.

Activities and Funding

As a nonprofit, the Petey Greene Program relies on funding and grants to support its operations. The organization has received support from notable philanthropic entities, including Pershing Square Philanthropies.

By fostering educational access and promoting systemic change, the Petey Greene Program continues to play a vital role in advocating for the rights and opportunities of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people in the United States.