Tiger Prison Project, an LSU student organization, works to educate the student body about the prison system and prison reform and to mobilize them to advocate for those affected by the prison system.

“Tiger Prison Project is a student coalition dedicated to ending mass incarceration, improving the lives of which it has affected, and promoting fair and effective alternatives,” their website reads. “Our vision is to ensure a fair and just future for all Louisianans through education, advocacy, and mobilization.

TPP has been a part of LSU’s campus since 2019. Students formed the organization to teach others about the prison system and provide an outlet for activism through volunteer work. Meetings are every two weeks and often feature speakers who tell stories about their personal experiences with the prison system.

Sydney Whitfield, a senior majoring in international studies and global diplomacy, serves as the organization’s director of education and grant coordination. 

“TPP is a one of a kind organization on LSU’s campus because we are able to mobilize people from diverse walks of life around an issue that affects our community on an individual, local, state and national level,” Whitfield said. 

Gianna Thornhill, a senior majoring in Spanish, is TPP’s president. Since joining the group, she said she’s learned a lot about the prison system and the realities of incarceration. She’s also observed how fellow students and members of the community band together on the topic of prison reform.

“I can see firsthand that there are people who actually care about this, who are very educated about this, so it gives me a lot of relief,” Thornhill said. “And I hope that it gives other people relief to know that there is a community of people who are working really hard. 

Thornhill said she’s looking forward to the organization’s plans for the semester, which will include an informational tour of the Elayn Hunt Correctional Center in St. Gabriel, Louisiana. She encourages students interested in learning about the prison system to join TPP and check out the unique opportunity.

“I hope that people who have not encountered the prison system that much have their eyes opened to what it is and how it’s functioned here in Louisiana for so long,” Thornhill said. “I think there’s a lot of misconceptions about prison, and people who have been to prison.”

There are many factors that impair the prison system, Thornhill said, but TPP mostly focuses on its punitive nature. The organization spends a lot of time interacting with formerly incarcerated people who have been victims of long and harsh sentences, such as life without parole. That’s one aspect of the prison system the organization hopes to change, Thornhill said.

As part of its volunteer work in the community, TPP partners with Louisiana Parole Project, a Baton Rouge organization focused on supporting people who were incarcerated in state systems for 20 years or more as they acclimate to life outside prison.

“They’re a great organization,” said TPP’s Director of Outreach, public relations senior Jami Gwyn. 

As a student organization, there’s only so much they can do, Gwyn added: the Parole Project helps TPP get hands-on with prison reform. 

TPP helps The Parole Project, too. At weekly, on-campus workshops, TPP members assist Parole Project participants with everything from resume building to transportation.  

Whitfield along with another TPP member, microbiology senior Michelle Flores-Acosta, secured funding for the workshops through the LSU’s Ogden Honors College grant.

“Michelle and I were interested in securing a grant to start an initiative like this because we observed how adept college students are at navigating technology and what great volunteers they would make for Parole Project clients who are reintegrating themselves into society,” Whitfield said.

They used money left-over from the grant to purchase computers and bus passes for Parole Project members, both of which student volunteers help them learn to use during workshops. Students also help Parole Project members create resumes including work experience from their time in prison.

From the student-perspective, Gwyn emphasized the importance of learning about the realities of the prison system and how this can empower TPP members to create change—especially in a state with historically high rates of incarceration.

“I think, us educating them and sharing these people’s stories outside of LSU, I want [students] to take away that there’s so much more that you can do with your lives and that you can really make a difference everywhere,” Gwyn said.

Interested students can get involved with TPP through Instagram (@tigerprisonproject), TikTok (@tiger.prison.project) or join the organization through TigerLink. TPP’s next meeting will be Thursday, Feb. 22 at 6:30 p.m. in Coates Hall, room 111.