Hudson Link was founded in 1998, at a time where New York state and federal funding for college education in prisons ceased. The abrupt loss of a college program had a devastating effect on prison morale. As a result, inmates at Sing Sing Correctional Facility reached out to religious and academic volunteers for assistance, which received their immediate response.
Believing in the transformative power of education, Hudson Link helps men and women prepare themselves for more constructive and meaningful lives while incarcerated and upon reentering society. We accomplish this by providing the opportunity to experience the positive effects of learning at the college level.
In 12 years, we have granted 200 Associate and Bachelor Degrees. We currently have over 200 men and women enrolled in our programs. More than 50 men and women have been released from prison and most work in the social services field. NOT ONE of our graduates has ever been reincarcerated for a new crime – that is a 0% recidivism rate.
The average recidivism rate in NYS is 60% — within 3 years of release from prison, 60% of the men and women will be reincarcerated for a new crime.
Sean Pica is the Executive Director of Hudson Link, a not-for-profit organization, that provides college education, life skills and re-entry support to incarcerated men and women in five New York State Correctional Facilities to help them make a positive impact on their own lives, their families and communities. His responsibilities include program and operations management, business development, fundraising and implementation of the strategic goals and objectives of Hudson Link.
Prior to joining Hudson Link, Sean was the Director of Club Access, a psychosocial clubhouse for adults with mental health disabilities, and a tenant advocate for the James Weldon Johnson Housing Projects in East Harlem.
Sean also serves as a Senior Fellow with Mercy College’s Center for Social and Criminal Justice, on the Board of Career Gear re-entry services organization and as a facilitator for STRIVE Fatherhood Programs. He earned a Master of Professional Studies degree from the New York Theological Seminary, a Master of Social Work degree from Hunter College and is currently pursuing his MBA at Mercy College.