Walls to Bridges (W2B) classes are for-credit courses offered through universities and colleges taught within correctional settings. W2B classes involve equal numbers of incarcerated (“inside”) students and university/college-based (“outside”) students learning together as peers.
The first Walls to Bridges course at McMaster was January 2023, Indigenous Studies 2IR3, Indigenous Resurgence with Dr. Savage Bear and Sara Howdle, PhD Candidate.
Who?
Inside learners & recently released; outside learners from McMaster/partners.
What?
Walls to Bridges (W2B), for-credit.
Where?
Vanier Center for Women, Milton, ON (students are responsible for their own transportation)
Next Offering
Fall 2025 (Applications CLOSED)
- Over-representation of Indigenous Peoples in prisons is a colonial tactic to separate Indigenous peoples from their land and political (kinship) ties. Indigenous peoples belong in their communities, not in colonial prisons.
- Our vision is to create a conduit from prison to post-secondary reversing the cycle of generational poverty, homelessness and ill health.
- Indigenous peoples experience systemic racism within all Canadian systems creating barriers to assuming positions of power.
The project has three tiers:
- TIER I brings university courses into prison settings with a Walls to Bridges Program where incarcerated and university students take courses as peers, earning the same university credit. The tuition for incarcerated students is sponsored by the hosting university. The next Walls to Bridges course at McMaster is scheduled for September 2025, Indigenous Creative Art & Drama with Dr. Savage Bear and Sarah Howdle PhD Candidate
- TIER II is post-incarceration support for students living in transition homes (sometimes known as halfway houses). From the transition house, students attend courses on campus (and pre-covid, in person) for credit or audit. Our team also works closely with students within the transition houses to provide support with assignments, mentoring, sharing circles, and tutoring.
- TIER III is a mentorship program which assists formerly incarcerated people who are interested in applying for university as full or part-time students. This mentorship includes administrative and social support, supplies, tutoring, and professional development.
- Inside learners: selected by partner institution.
- Outside learners: enrolled students; ~1 evening/week on site; campus debriefs.
- Fall Semester 2025, Tuesdays 5:30-8:30pm
- Students are responsible for there own transportation
Voices of Indigenous Research Fundraiser T-Shirts
- Tuition.
- Supplies (notebooks, writing implements, art supplies).
- Books and Photocopying.
- Guest Speaker Honouraria.
FAQ
Is transportation provided?
Students will need to find their own transportation.
How to register?
Unlike a regular course of open registration, Walls to Bridges requires an application; contact the department hosting the course.
What is the cost?
Regular tuition cost,
Although some prisons require a vulnerable sector check (Cost=50$)
Last updated: August 6, 2025
Old Programming
Sara Howdle
National Director (Walls to Bridges)
Dr. Savage Bear
Instructor (Walls to Bridges)
