Inside Out
Operated since 2015
This program has been operational since 2015 when RMIT partnered with Corrections Victoria to offer the program. The program has been offered across eight Victorian prisons and has had more than 800 graduates. To date, this remains the only program of its kind in Australia.
Introduced by Dr Marietta Martinovic
The program was introduced by Dr Marietta Martinovic, who was inspired by the powerful outcomes of Inside Out program at Temple University, Pennsylvania, USA.
Educational program
Inside Out Prison Exchange Program is an innovative and transformational education program where university students undertake a subject alongside incarcerated people. Together, in a prison setting they are studying a semester-long subjects titled ‘Comparative Criminal Justice Systems.’
History of The Inside-Out program
The original idea of Inside-Out came from a man named Paul who is serving a life sentence in Pennsylvania.
Lori Pompa from the Criminal Justice discipline at Temple University in Philadelphia founded the Inside-Out program in 1997, and since then, over 1000 Inside-Out courses have been taught around the world.
Dr. Marietta Martinovic piloted Inside-Out in 2015 at DPFC and Marngoneet Prisons in Victoria, Australia. The program has expanded, and is now delivered at 6 prisons across Victoria.
What is the Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program {IOPEP)?
~15 “outside” University students (i.e. undergraduate) and ~15 “inside” (i.e. incarcerated) students study together a semester-long subject behind the prison walls for 2hr tutorial-style class each week.
GRADUATION
The final class at the prison is a graduation ceremony and dignitaries from Corrections Victoria and RMIT attend.
Impact
- Implemented at 8 Victorian prisons
- 1000+ graduates
Outside student, DPFC
“You’re hearing firsthand accounts from people behind bars. They’re sharing their stories - the good, the bad, and the downright eye-opening. Suddenly, those prison walls don’t seem so daunting anymore. You realise these folks are just like us, with dreams, regrets, and a whole lot of resilience. And let me tell you, listening to these stories? It’s like hitting the empathy jackpot. You start seeing the world through a whole new lens. Those stereotypes you had about prisoners? Yeah, they vanish quicker than you can say “orange is the new black.” Suddenly, you’re all about spreading kindness and understanding like confetti.”
Inside student, Karreenga
“The best part was going out of my comfort zone and taking on new challenges I’d normally pass on. I realised that there are a lot of people who will take you on face value…. The best part was that we were able to work alongside ‘normal people’ without an awkward divide, and although my nerves and anxiety were there, I pushed passed it.”
Prison Based Think Tanks
Graduates of the Inside Out Program (those with Lived Experience of Incarceration and university students) volunteer with one of the prison-based Think Tanks, to engage in advocacy work with key stakeholders.
Impact
- 6 Prison-based Think Tanks
- 150+ stakeholder consultations
- 500+ graduates
- 60+ student internships
- 125+ active member
Community Based Think Tank
Graduates of the prison-based Think Tank (those with Lived Experience of Incarceration , university students and alumni) join the community-based Think Tank, to engage in advocacy work with key stakeholders, and contribute to community-building initiatives.
Impact
- Magazine
- Podcast
- Community education events
- Art & craft workshops
- Social events
- 60+ student internships
- 25+ active members