$500,000 grant to support prison education program.

Claflin University has received a $500,000 grant to support its Center for Social Justice and its Pathways From Prison education program.

The investment from Bank of America will help fund Claflin's partnership with the S.C. Department of Corrections that provides incarcerated individuals a chance to earn a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, psychology, and organizational management, along with minors and certificate credentials.

The donation will support scholarships and enhance technological resources such as laptops, keyboards, printers, routers and wi-fi hotspots, according to a news release from the Orangeburg university.

"We are extremely grateful for Bank of America's support for our Center for Social Justice and the Pathways From Prison Program. Research indicates a dramatic reduction in recidivism rates for incarcerated individuals who participate in prison education programs," said Dwaun J. Warmack, Claflin president and a 2019 USA Eisenhower Fellow whose fellowship research explored global best practices for reducing mass incarceration through education and rehabilitation. "Bank of America's reputation as a global leader in banking and finance is widely recognized. This partnership...