During a visit to the Sheridan Correctional Center, located 90 minutes southwest of Chicago, Illinois Mayor Brandon Johnson engaged with incarcerated students about the importance of education and its role in reducing recidivism. Currently, only 2% of the over 30,000 incarcerated individuals in Illinois participate in college-level programs, despite research indicating that education significantly enhances chances of successful reintegration into society. The visit was part of the Northwestern Prison Education Program, which aims to expand educational access within the prison system. Johnson urged the students to channel their energy into building a more equitable economy to prevent future incarceration. An upcoming special broadcast of Prisoncast! from WBEZ Chicago will delve deeper into the challenges and successes of obtaining education behind bars, featuring stories from inmates and advocates. The program will also address ongoing issues such as inadequate healthcare and the creative ways inmates maintain dignity.