Tutor Incarcerated Students (Summer 2026)

Description:

Volunteer to tutor incarcerated students to help them reach their educational goals!

One or two times a week, volunteers will go to Rikers Island in Queens, New York City to help students prepare for the GED. Transportation costs will be reimbursed by the PGP. The time slots for tutoring are 12-3pm Monday-Friday which includes time for arrival, processing, and exit in addition to time spent tutoring. Volunteers will be assigned one or more days of tutoring based on their availability and student needs. Priority will be given to volunteers who can commit to multiple sessions per week. Applications for Summer 2026 tutoring should be submitted by June 26th.

The PGP provides tutors with both initial and ongoing training to ensure high-quality services for students and to provide volunteer support and leadership development throughout the semester.

Since its founding in 2008, the PGP has supported over 20,000 students in over 130 correctional facilities and reentry programs. We have recruited more than 8,500 volunteer tutors and instructors from 40 universities in seven states and D.C.

Responsibilities:

• Weekly tutoring for 3 hours at a correctional facility for at least 6 weeks during July 6-August 28. We ask tutors to consider volunteering for at least two semesters (Summer, Fall, Spring)
• Attend PGP tutor orientation before volunteering
• Attend ongoing training and professional development each fall and spring semester
• Communicate with PGP staff, teachers, and security staff at the facility as well as other tutors
• Tutors will have to apply for background clearance and attend three facility trainings. PGP will walk you through these processes

Qualifications:

• Interest in educational justice and a desire to make a difference for incarcerated people
• No prior tutoring experience is necessary
• High school diploma required
• Availability during weekdays
• Ability to travel to Rikers Island where the correctional facility is located

Training:

PGP provides robust training and our staff supports all our volunteers as they work with system impacted people. You will receive training on working in carceral facilities as well as pedagogical training for tutoring. Volunteers have opportunities to receive support throughout their tutoring experience.

Time commitment:

• 3 hours of tutoring once a week
• Travel to and from Rikers Island, which will vary based on your location (Rikers Island is accessible via car or the Q100 bus)
• PGP Virtual Trainings–ongoing training and professional development each fall and spring semester
• One volunteer debrief meeting during the semester

Why Volunteer?

• Support the learning and academic achievement of marginalized students
• Learn more about the manifest injustice in our carceral system
• Develop your skills to meet the needs of diverse learners
• Join a diverse community of volunteers making a real impact

Learn more

Check out our website to learn more about the Petey Greene Program.

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