Prison Mathematics Project

The Prison Mathematics Project (PMP) is an American prison education organization that promotes the study of mathematics. It pairs prisoners who have an interest in mathematics with outside mentors. Participants may be of any skill level, with some working towards a certificate of High School Equivalency and others performing original research. It also prepares learning materials and holds Pi Day events at prisons. It is not a credit-earning prison-to-college program, although participants may be simultaneously engaged in such programs. Its founder, Christopher Havens, began studying mathematics while in solitary confinement, and founded the organization while still incarcerated. Stated goals of the PMP include reducing recidivism and challenging stereotypes about prisoners. In 2022 the PMP had 450 volunteers, who worked with 171 prisoners in 27 states. As of December 2025, the PMP had over 350 participants in the mentorship program, with more attending in-person events such as Math Circles and Pi Day.