Bard Prison Initiative Graduate Allen Porter ’26 Sits Down with Spectrum’s Errol Louis
ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. — In a recent episode of Spectrum News NY1's You Decide, veteran journalist Errol Louis sat down with Bard Prison Initiative graduate Allen Porter ’26, whose double murder conviction was vacated after he spent more than three decades in prison, all while maintaining his innocence, to discuss his fight for justice, the role education played during his incarceration, and the challenges of rebuilding life after incarceration.Porter earned his Bard degree while incarcerated through the Bard Prison Initiative (BPI), a nationally recognized program that provides rigorous college education in prisons. During the interview, Porter reflected on maintaining hope throughout decades of wrongful imprisonment, the impact of earning a liberal arts education while incarcerated, and the challenges and opportunities that have accompanied his return home.
“Walking across the stage to get my Bard College diploma was an incredibly meaningful and emotional moment that I dreamed about throughout my time in prison, and it wouldn’t have been possible without Bard Prison Initiative,” said BPI graduate Allen Porter ’26. “This program gave me the unique opportunity to transform my life through the power of a liberal arts degree. I’m excited for where my education will take me now that I’m free.”
Listen to the full interview on Spectrum News NY1.
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About Bard Prison Initiative
Since 1999, the Bard Prison Initiative has been a national leader in restoring and expanding college opportunities in American prisons. Its academic programs are known for rigor and ambition; these programs transform the negative impacts of criminal punishment and create radical inroads of access and opportunity to higher learning. Today, BPI operates in seven correctional facilities and enrolls over 400 incarcerated students in full-time programs that culminate in degrees from Bard College. Once enrolled, BPI students embark on a rigorous course of study that matches the breadth and intensity of the Bard College learning experience. BPI supports students throughout their enrollment — and beyond — to identify ways that a liberal arts degree can carry forward into long-term plans.
Since BPI’s founding, roughly 1,000 Bard college degrees have been earned by BPI students. Alumni contribute to their communities and attend top graduate programs; they work at every level in business and nonprofits; and they serve in government.
Since 1999, the Bard Prison Initiative has been a national leader in restoring and expanding college opportunities in American prisons. Its academic programs are known for rigor and ambition; these programs transform the negative impacts of criminal punishment and create radical inroads of access and opportunity to higher learning. Today, BPI operates in seven correctional facilities and enrolls over 400 incarcerated students in full-time programs that culminate in degrees from Bard College. Once enrolled, BPI students embark on a rigorous course of study that matches the breadth and intensity of the Bard College learning experience. BPI supports students throughout their enrollment — and beyond — to identify ways that a liberal arts degree can carry forward into long-term plans.
Since BPI’s founding, roughly 1,000 Bard college degrees have been earned by BPI students. Alumni contribute to their communities and attend top graduate programs; they work at every level in business and nonprofits; and they serve in government.
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About Bard College
Founded in 1860, Bard College is a four-year residential college of the liberal arts and sciences located 90 miles north of New York City. With the addition of the Montgomery Place and Massena properties, Bard’s campus consists of more than 1,200 parklike acres in the Hudson River Valley. It offers bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, and bachelor of music degrees, with majors in nearly 40 academic programs; advanced degrees through 14 graduate programs; 10 early colleges; and numerous dual-degree programs nationally and internationally. Building on its 166-year history as a competitive and innovative undergraduate institution, Bard College has expanded its mission as a private institution acting in the public interest across the country and around the world to meet broader student needs and increase access to liberal arts education. The undergraduate program at the main campus in upstate New York has a reputation for scholarly excellence, a focus on the arts, and civic engagement. Bard is committed to enriching culture, public life, and democratic discourse by training tomorrow’s thought leaders. For more information about Bard College, visit bard.edu.
Founded in 1860, Bard College is a four-year residential college of the liberal arts and sciences located 90 miles north of New York City. With the addition of the Montgomery Place and Massena properties, Bard’s campus consists of more than 1,200 parklike acres in the Hudson River Valley. It offers bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, and bachelor of music degrees, with majors in nearly 40 academic programs; advanced degrees through 14 graduate programs; 10 early colleges; and numerous dual-degree programs nationally and internationally. Building on its 166-year history as a competitive and innovative undergraduate institution, Bard College has expanded its mission as a private institution acting in the public interest across the country and around the world to meet broader student needs and increase access to liberal arts education. The undergraduate program at the main campus in upstate New York has a reputation for scholarly excellence, a focus on the arts, and civic engagement. Bard is committed to enriching culture, public life, and democratic discourse by training tomorrow’s thought leaders. For more information about Bard College, visit bard.edu.
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This event was last updated on 07-08-2026
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