NEW ORLEANS —Tracy Pratt, a criminal justice reform advocate, joins Operation Restoration as higher education administrator. The New Orleans-based organization was founded by and for women and girls impacted by incarceration.
Pratt will oversee the organization’s higher education programs, which include College-in-Prison at Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women in St. Gabriel. The program, in partnership with Tulane University’s School of Professional Advancement, offers college credit toward a bachelor’s degree for students during and after incarceration.
“We’re redefining and expanding higher education for clients,” said Pratt in a press release. “Having Pell Grants reopen for incarcerated students after 26 years provides more opportunities for them.”
Pratt plans to work onsite at LCIW a couple of days each week. There are currently 30 incarcerated women enrolled in the College-in-Prison program and six additional students continuing their education post release.
A Michigan native who earned an undergraduate degree at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, Pratt attended law school at Loyola University. This actually marks her third return to New Orleans.
“We’re excited to welcome Tracy to our team at Operation Restoration,” said Syrita Steib, the nonprofit’s founder and leader. “Her background combined with a passion for our work to remove barriers for justice-impacted women and girls points to exciting new growth for education programs.”
