Over 50 incarcerated individuals to be awarded career-ready certificates as part of the faith-based education program
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Apr. 15, 2026 —Ensign College is holding its first-ever commencement ceremony inside the Utah State Correctional Facility (USCF) for more than 50 incarcerated students set to receive certificates as the first graduating class of the Ensign Prison Education Program (EPEP). The program has enrolled and served nearly 500 participants since launching in October 2024 and represents one of the largest higher education partnerships with the Utah Department of Corrections (UDC).
The commencement is a significant milestone for Ensign College and the EPEP, which provides online education through a UDC-secured network. Courses focus on career-ready skills and are grounded in values-based instruction designed to strengthen spiritual and moral character.
“The mission of Ensign College is to develop capable and trusted disciples of Jesus Christ,” said Bruce C. Kusch, Ensign College President. “We believe discipleship is accessible to all of God’s children. Weaving our applied learning model with principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ means we are not only teaching technical skills, but we are also helping students develop faith, discipline, integrity, teamwork and a renewed sense of purpose.”
Megan Rice, Director of the Ensign College Prison Education Program, added: “The Ensign College Prison Education Program is preparing students for long-term success in employment and in life, helping them become self-sufficient and creating opportunities that may not have otherwise been possible.”
Measurable Outcomes
Since the program’s inception in 2024, students have demonstrated academic success and increased religious devotion:
-Research cited in the National Library of Medicine shows that values-based education programs in correctional settings can significantly reduce recidivism rates.
-Student GPAs and overall persistence are consistent with traditional online Ensign College students.
-Attendance at worship services rose 59% and participation in religion courses went up 127% in one year.
“Education is one of the most powerful tools we have to reduce recidivism and strengthen communities,” said Chief Randall Honey of the Utah Department of Corrections. “Our partnership with Ensign College expands access to meaningful education that prepares individuals for employment and successful reintegration upon
release.”
Faith and Skills Taught in the Prison Environment
Courses are delivered fully online through UDC’s secure technology infrastructure. The college maintains no physical footprint inside the facility, allowing the program to scale efficiently while maintaining academic integrity and security standards.
Ensign College is known for combining career-ready education with faith-centered learning. As part of the Church Educational System of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the college emphasizes both professional preparation and spiritual growth.
“When individuals strengthen their faith and develop skills it opens up new opportunities for personal growth and development allowing them to provide for themselves and their families,” said Elder Don Clarke, who oversees branches of the Church at state correctional facilities. “This effort reflects the Savior’s pattern of lifting, teaching, and preparing people for a better future.”
Student Outlook
“There are countless men and women here who long for a second chance, who desire tools to rebuild their lives, and who hunger for the empowerment that both education and faith provide,” an Ensign College student stated. “Many of us want to break cycles of failure and instead become examples of redemption, resilience, and renewa —living testimonies of the Savior’s power to change hearts.”
Incarcerated individuals qualify for access to the program through the recommendation of UDC personnel as well as their ecclesiastical leaders within the UDC.
Additional information about the Ensign Prison Education Program is available at
ensign.edu/prison-education-program.
About Ensign College
Founded in 1886 and located in downtown Salt Lake City, Ensign College is part of the Church Educational System of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Ensign College has an annual campus enrollment of 2,500, with students from over 70 countries, and serves more than 19,000 online students in more than 100 countries in partnership with BYU-Pathway Worldwide.
