The 2025 The Last Mile Graduation of Coding Program at Indiana Women’s Prison September 18, 2025 PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT: Shaun Osburn, The Last Mile – shaun.osburn@thelastmile.org – 415.209.5444 The Last Mile provides technology training for high-demand jobs to incarcerated individuals in facilities across the US Indianapolis, IN – Three students graduated from The Last Mile web development program alongside graduating students from Ivy Tech Community College at the Indiana Women’s Prison. The Last Mile program is the first of its kind in the state of Indiana; its inaugural classroom was launched in 2018, thanks to the encouragement of then-Governor Eric Holcomb. Initial funding was provided through a $2 million grant from Google. Ivy Tech Community College partners with the Indiana Department of Corrections to offer educational services to incarcerated individuals at 15 facilities across Indiana. The college provides vocational training, technical education, and certification programs to help these individuals successfully reintegrate into society. “I did not want to leave prison the same way I came in. On the first day of class with The Last Mile, I thought there was no way I’d be able to complete that class. But I also knew I’d given up a lot to sit in that chair.” –Billie Edison, The Last Mile alumni and current Indiana Pacers Employee “The Pacers are incredibly proud to partner with The Last Mile in Fair Chance Hiring. Billie’s journey is one of many powerful testaments to resilience and the transformative impact of education in prisons. At the Pacers, we believe in creating opportunities and fostering a community where everyone has the chance to succeed.” –BSteve Simon, Owner, Indiana Pacers. The Last Mile provides technology training and transitional support to incarcerated people across the United States, equipping them with skills for high‑demand jobs when they return to their communities. At Indiana Women’s Prison, the current cohort completed a year-long course through The Last Mile’s secure, cloud-based platform, gaining hands-on experience with industry-standard tools such as VS Code, GitLab, MongoDB, DevDocs, and more. “The Last Mile values the commitment and support of the Indiana Department of Corrections in providing advanced technical training for incarcerated individuals in Indiana,” said Kevin McCracken, Executive Director of The Last Mile. “We celebrate the success of this cohort at Indiana Women’s Prison and look forward to partnering with companies to offer The Last Mile graduates opportunities for apprenticeships and employment. Collaborating with the Indiana Department of Corrections exemplifies our shared commitment to rehabilitation and reintegration. Together, we are creating a path toward broader career opportunities and a more just and hopeful future for those impacted by the justice system.” After completing the program, The Last Mile’s Reentry Team supports individuals based on personalized plans to prepare them for a successful transition, both before and after their release date. The Last Mile graduates have a 75% employment rate within six months of release, largely due to the support of The Last Mile’s Fair Chance hiring partners in the business, media, and tech industries. Fair chance hiring is when an organization evaluates and hires candidates for roles based on their qualified skills, rather than their history or record. These opportunities reduce recidivism and develop a stronger workforce in Indiana. About Ivy Tech Community College Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana’s largest public postsecondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually through online programs. It serves as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the community’s needs. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor’s degree. About The Last Mile The Last Mile is an Oakland, CA-based 501(c)3 organization with a mission to provide opportunities for personal and professional growth for justice-impacted individuals through education and technology training. Through prison education, transitional support, and workforce reentry, The Last Mile is disrupting the system of mass incarceration across the United States. In-class curricula and course materials prepare students for meaningful employment in modern job roles, including web development, software engineering, and audio and video production. Students cultivate personal and professional development in alignment with technical education, with the support of The Last Mile reentry staff, volunteers, and a community founded on shared lived experiences. The Last Mile is celebrating over a decade as an organization, originating with its first program in San Quentin State Prison in California. The Last Mile has continued to leverage the power of public-private partnerships with Departments of Corrections and industry-leading companies. Programs operate in 7 states and 13 facilities across the United States. The Last Mile has been able to expand its purpose, to Imagine, Build, and Open Doors into other facilities through these partnerships, as well as funding and employment opportunities from the technology sector, including Ken Griffin, Google.org, Slack, GitLab, Stand Together Foundation, Bank of America, Apple, and more. The Last Mile Impact The Last Mile is currently in 7 states and 13 facilities The Last Mile has served over 1,400 students The Last Mile has served 929 returned citizens Please refer to The Last Mile’s language guide for guidance on using humanizing language when referring to justice-impacted people in the media.