In the News: C-GCC to Launch Education Program at Hudson Correctional Facility
Photo by Saba Mann
March 10, 2026
Columbia-Greene Community College (C-GCC) will begin offering a new post-secondary education program at Hudson Correctional Facility, expanding access to higher education for eligible incarcerated individuals. The initiative is part of a Prison Education Program site established through a partnership between the College and the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS). The program was recently featured in the Daily Gazette.
Through the program, participants will have the opportunity to pursue an associate degree while incarcerated. Courses will be delivered primarily through in-person instruction at the facility, with hybrid and remote learning options used when appropriate. The program is designed to support students throughout the entire academic process—from enrollment and financial aid to academic advising and career preparation.
Students will receive assistance with the college admissions process, as well as support completing financial aid applications such as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). Academic advising will help students select courses aligned with their educational and career goals and guide their progress toward degree completion.
In addition to academic coursework, the program will offer career preparation services aimed at supporting successful reentry into the workforce. Participants will have access to career coaching, including résumé and cover letter development, professional communication skills, digital etiquette, job search strategies, and interview preparation.
Dr. Victoria L. Walsh, President of Columbia-Greene Community College, emphasized the importance of expanding access to higher education through partnerships with correctional facilities. “At Columbia-Greene, we have a proven track record of working effectively with correctional facilities to offer high-quality educational opportunities for students who are incarcerated,” Walsh said. “Our program allows students to achieve their academic goals and receive support for re-entry. I am grateful to SUNY OHEP and DOCCS for their partnership in increasing access to education for students.”
New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Commissioner Daniel F. Martuscello III also highlighted the broader impact of providing educational opportunities within correctional facilities. “Education has the power to change lives,” Martuscello said. “By bringing college-level programming to Hudson Correctional Facility, we’re opening doors to opportunity, accountability and personal growth. This benefits not only the individuals in the program, but the communities they will return to.”
The program also aligns with broader efforts across the State University of New York (SUNY) system to expand educational access and support justice-impacted individuals. SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. noted that initiatives like this contribute to stronger communities and workforce development by increasing opportunities for individuals seeking a second chance through education.
Students who begin coursework while incarcerated will have the opportunity to continue their studies after release, either at Columbia-Greene Community College’s main campus or by transferring to other higher education institutions. By providing a pathway to higher education and career readiness, the program aims to support long-term success for participants and strengthen the communities they will eventually rejoin.
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Columbia-Greene Community College to launch education program at Hudson Correctional Facility. (2026, March 10). The Daily Gazette. Catskill, NY.