Prisoners of Conscience

Teacher Workshop

Please keep in mind that this program requires all teachers new to the program to attend a teacher workshop prior to class participation. Please check back for updates on the date and additional details. The Teacher Workshop for Prisoners of Conscience will take place on Saturday, February 21st, 2026. 

 

Currently not accepting applications for the 2026-2027 school year.

 

 

Students participating in a high school education program inside the Alcatraz cell house.

NPS / Kirke Wrench

Overview

Grades 10-12th

How does activism shape our understanding of mass incarceration? Does activism support our democracy?

What is the cost of resistance? Engage your students with the unknown history of men who were incarcerated on the island for their beliefs against the government. Students will use primary resources to investigate how politics, race, activism and democracy played a role in the imprisonment of these men.

Prisoners of Conscience uses the Understanding by Design framework, incorporates Common Core Standards and Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies. The program is framed by the essential question - "How does activism shape our understanding of mass incarceration? Does activism support our democracy?"

 

Program Structure

The program is structured in the following three-touch model:

1. Classroom Preparation – Teachers complete 2 pre-lessons with an introduction to Alcatraz Political Prisoners. A pre-visit lesson by NPS staff is also offered before the field session – please share details about preferred NPS staff visit in the Education Reservation Request Form.

2. Field Session – students conduct a field investigation to understand the connections between early incarceration on Alcatraz and Mass Incarceration today. Please share details about preferred date in the Education Reservation Request Form.

3. Classroom Assessment – opportunities for students to demonstrate what they have learned through essays, digital media projects, or poems. Please email or mail back student work to NPS staff.