Spotlight on lead organizer at the Virginia Consensus for Higher Education in Prison

In his role as lead organizer for the Virginia Consensus for Higher Education in Prison, Kenneth Hunter uses his own story to advocate for educational opportunities for incarcerated students. Convicted for a 1999 nonviolent drug offense, he spent 22 years behind bars. 

“They made me seem like a big-time drug dealer,” Hunter said. “Before I knew it, I was sitting in prison. I wasn’t even 23 years old. Now, I use my story to help others through my work.” 

The Lynchburg native grew up in a strict religious household where simple pleasures like birthday parties or playing basketball with friends were off-limits. A good student with a rebellious streak, he was cast out of his home and church community at 16 for engaging in premarital sex. Homeless, Hunter gravitated toward new friends whose influence led him into small-time drug dealing. He was caught and sentenced to 18 years, plus an additional five years for his first probation violation. 

“Prison was traumatic,” Hunter said. “I was fortunate because there were a lot of guys who took me under their wing and protected me. During my time in prison, we had nothing, and education is the one thing that could’ve prepared us to succeed.” 

The 1994 Crime Bill included a provision that barred incarcerated individuals from receiving Pell Grants, cutting off Hunter’s access to higher education while in prison. In 2020, federal legislation restored Pell Grant eligibility for incarcerated students, allowing broader access to education programs during incarceration. 

Pell Grants provide financial support for access to higher education. Education provides safer environments for individuals behind bars, helps ensure access to well-paying jobs upon release, and reduces recidivism rates, according to the Vera Institute of Justice. 

Virginia’s House Bill 2158, which would have allowed public and private higher education institutions to partner with the Department of Corrections for postsecondary programs in prison, passed with bipartisan support. Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed the bill in May, citing the need for an ongoing study of corrections education and concerns about overlapping efforts and the diversion of resources. 

A decade-old study by the Rand Corporation, a nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization, found that inmates who participate in correctional education programs have a 43% lower chance of recidivating than those who do not. The study also found that providing correctional education can be a cost-effective way to reduce repeat offenses. 

“I work to extend college programs to incarcerated people,” Hunter said. “Education is the best determinant of recidivism.” 

Since his release, Hunter has built a new life. Returning to Lynchburg, he worked in sales for a major furniture brand, quickly rising through the ranks. The experience boosted his confidence and proved his ability to thrive. After lobbying lawmakers at the General Assembly, he was tapped for his current role with the Virginia Consensus for Higher Education in Prison. Now, Hunter is a fierce advocate for educational opportunities for prisoners. 

Where do you live? 

Shockoe Bottom. 

What is your educational background? 

I got my GED in a juvenile facility. I’m self-educated, but I’m trying to go back to school to study political science. 

Tell us about your family. 

I have a daughter and five grandchildren. 

What is the Virginia Consensus for Higher Education in Prison (VCHEP)? 

We are an initiative of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy. We are a multi-sector coalition focused on expanding access to college education for Virginians during incarceration and upon return home, to promote personal growth and meaningful career success. 

What is VCHEP’s mission? 

To develop and advance a best-in-class system of postsecondary education in prisons across the Commonwealth. 

Why was the VCHEP created? 

We envision a Commonwealth in which all people, including those in prison, have access to quality higher education, allowing them to reach their full human potential. 

What services does the VCHEP provide? 

We work to engage stakeholders from a variety of sectors — corrections, higher education, justice-impacted, faith, business/employers, and public officials — in a process of consensus-building and strategic planning to expand access to college degree programs for incarcerated individuals in Virginia prisons. We’re the engine behind it all. 

What are some examples of how the VCHEP has made a difference? 

We overcome barriers to make education a reality, such as acquiring the necessary technology and WiFi for college-level courses. 

What are the biggest challenges facing VCHEP? 

We haven’t had much opposition to what we’re doing. People understand the importance of our work. It’s not charity; it will reward the state. 

How is the VCHEP funded? 

Our work is supported by a generous planning grant from the Ascendium Education Group. We are tied to a national movement, so we have partners who help. 

How did the VCHEP get started? 

The VHCEP is an initiative of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy. Terri Erwin, our director, was a liaison to higher education for Virginia Interfaith. She initiated the VCHEP to make sure that people could take advantage of Pell funding. We’ve been working as a team since 2023. 

Are there volunteer opportunities with the VCHEP? 

We need volunteers to help with our events. You can go to vchep.org, to sign up for our newsletters. 

Do you have any upcoming events? 

Our “Digital Opportunity Summit: Design Thinking on the Tech Ecosystem for Higher Education in Virginia Prisons” is Oct. 31 in Richmond. We’re also hosting “Power in Partnership: Elevating Education Through Faith, Reentry, and Strategy” on Nov. 13. Details about both events are available on vchep.org. 

How do you start the day? 

I get into the office and check my emails. 

Who is your dream dinner party guest? 

Bryan Stevenson, the founder of the Equal Justice Initiative. His work in fighting mass incarceration and telling the stories of those most overlooked resonates deeply with my own journey. 

What is a quote that inspires you? 

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” — Nelson Mandela. That truth carried me through 22 years of incarceration and continues to guide my work today. 

Who has influenced you the most in your life? 

My grandfather left a deep impression on me. He wasn’t a loud man, but his steady presence and example taught me the value of patience, perseverance and dignity in the face of hardship. Those lessons have carried me through my own struggles and continue to guide how I lead and advocate today. 

What is a book that has influenced you? 

“The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness,” by Michelle Alexander. It gave language to what I had lived and witnessed in prison, and it strengthened my commitment to fight for change in our justice and education systems. 

What are you currently reading? 

“From Prison Cells to PhD: It is Never Too Late to Do Good,” by Stanley Andrisse. His story of perseverance through incarceration to academic excellence inspires me and reminds me of the untapped potential behind prison walls.