Prison University Project Information

The mission of Mount Tamalpais College is to provide an intellectually rigorous, inclusive Associate of Arts degree program and College Preparatory Program, free of charge, to people at San Quentin State Prison; to expand access to quality higher education for incarcerated people; and to foster the values of equity, civic engagement, independence of thought, and freedom of expression. Known for 24 years as the Prison University Project, Mount Tamalpais College aims to set a world-class example of a radically inclusive, academically rigorous, student-centered liberal arts college that happens to be located within a prison. We aspire to educate and challenge students intellectually; to prepare them to lead thoughtful and productive lives inside and outside of prison; to provide them with skills needed to obtain meaningful employment and economic stability post-release; and to prepare them to become leaders in their communities. Since 1996, the College at San Quentin has been the site of a unique and unprecedented educational enterprise. Nearly 4,000 students have participated in the program since its founding. In 2016, the organization was awarded the 2015 National Humanities Medal by President Obama.