The Importance Of College Classes In Prison

The prison system realizes that an immense majority of inmates will be released; we need to prepare them for outside life. Without the efforts of educational programs, a prison can become a “revolving door, with inmates having nowhere to go but back” to the prison with no future (Young 1). A majority of the states offer a GED program, but North Carolina profits from a Community College system that offers classes in academics, auto mechanics, masonry, wiring, plumbing, and computer literacy. The Community Colleges offer two-year degree programs in many areas. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers business association classes to inmates over twenty-five years of age. Because of the excellent programs they have to offer, more than five thousand of about thirty thousand inmates are in the education program and these numbers continue to grow.

Education has played a prominent role in our correctional institutions over time. Unfortunately, there are many prisons which have failing programs with high drop-out rates, poor participation, and weak or non-existent postrelease support. In addition, funding cuts in all levels of government have forced many to reduce their offerings or close programs altogether. It has become apparent that there are

The correctional educational programs plays a role in reducing recidivism. Recidivism remains high nationally, with four in 10 inmates returning to prison within three years of release. Most inmate that goes to prison had less education than the general population. I feel that it's

The article "Educated Prisoners Are Less Likely to Return to Prison" by James Vacca (2004), deals with the subject of if prisoners receive the right type of educational programs in prison their risk of recidivism goes down immensely. Vacca states that "Since 1990, the literature has shown that prisoners who attend educational programs while they are incarcerated are less likely to return to prison following their release (2004)." Vacca cites many examples of the types of educational courses the inmates should have to help them deal with their emotions and problems. The educational programs help the inmates deal with their social skills, encourage artistic development, and teach techniques on how to deal with their emotions (Vacca, 2004). These programs would help inmates deal with the issues that put them in prison in the first place and knowing these skills can then help keep them out of prison in the future. I find these arguments to be sound because Vacca shows the research from other people all over that concurs with his own claims of how these programs can keep recidivism at bay (2004). He cites many examples and goes into depth about why inmates may be in prison and what these programs will do to correct their problems and turn them into a real

Inmates need to be educated and rehabilitated in order to be released back into society. If prisoners receive a good education they are less likely to commit misconduct in the future. The Three State Recidivism Study

Currently the United States holds the leading position for having the largest prison population in the world. Considering this, the cost of re-incarcerating offenders after their release remains notably high to U.S Americans and our society. Recidivism is known as the reimprisonment of an individual that is released from prison but then later returns for being convicted of a new crime. However, there is essential data that proves the drastic reduction in recidivism through academic and vocational studies. Each year, it cost twice as much to provide a room and food for inmates than it would just to educate these prisoners.

Creating positive influences on our prisoners can reap many more benefits than just educating and releasing back into society. Just as we invest money to educate our children, we can reinvest money to target populations that our prisoners come from to prevent crimes. When we teach them new skills that can better their lives, they can then teach others by example. Once an inmate enters back into society and gets a job in his or her field, stays away from crime, and makes better choices, they can make a positive impact on their communities. Younger generations can see the encouraging example set forth and know that they too can make wiser decisions and hope for the

“Building a Prison to a College Pipeline”, is an article of allowing prisoners the ability to get a college degree. President Obama suggested this idea to lower the risk of recidivism (when a criminal relapse into his life of crime or illegal actions after being punished). The problem that is conveyed is that people (mostly republicans) believe that it is unfair and takes opportunities from others; mostly the “good samaritans”. However, this article clears up that argument by claiming, “This never pits one group over another, and it’s not robbing Peter to pay Paul. It’s just trying to have a few more people have access to what could be a life-chance-forming opportunity.”

A major problem within the prison system is the high rate of incarnation. According to “Facts About The Prison System in the U.S”, sixty-six percent of released convicts will end up back in jail. One reason is that the newly released are unprepared for life outside of prison. For example, when criminals are released back into society they are unable to obtain many things that are essential for surviving in today’s world. According to the article “Slammed,” people who have been incarcerated are denied the right to a driver 's license, student loans, and job opportunities. In today 's world, you need a driver 's license if you do not live in a city to go from one place or another or more importantly, to travel to work. When a released inmate tries to improve their position in life through an education, they may have a hard time accomplishing this task because they cannot afford to pay for their education because of the low wage jobs they have. Newly released prisoners also have a hard time finding jobs because of their past criminal record. The public puts restrictions on former prisoners because we are afraid of what that they might do when they are released back into society.

After read this article, Wampler's show a lot of benefits why prisons should rehabilitate inmates. Rehabilitating inmates is the best way to teach prisoners. If prisons require education and counseling for the prisoners, it will help the prisoners avoid any anger or overthinking during the time they stay in prisons. Prisoners will probably do better than just locking them up in the prisons without requiring any education. Prisoners also need education and someone who can give advice to them.

For my research assignment, I am examining the effectiveness of educational programs in prisons. I chose this topic because, like most people, I have had members of my family sentenced to prison. However, I do not believe any of my family members participated in correctional education programs. I am curious to know what types of educational programs are offered in prisons and if these educational programs, such as a general education diploma course, are beneficial to the prisoners after being released from prison. I also am curious to know that if these programs will be beneficial to the prisoners in finding employment after being released. If it proves that these education programs are not beneficial, I would like to know if the funds for these programs could be invested elsewhere in the correctional realm.

The service that provide by the volunteers including me in the Prison Book Program did help address the root causes of the issue at hand. According to researches, people that attend to college and are well educated are less likely to be involve with crimes. Reading and learning can change what you think and how you act.

Why do we need to provide free education to prisoners? Part of an inmates rehabilitation process, if chosen, is education. The knowledge they gain helps inmates mature while being incarcerated. The education being offered to people incarcerated is provided by tax payers. The price of tuition outside of the correctional facilities is increasing yearly, so receiving a college education, for free, while incarcerated is an immense benefit for an inmate. This kind of education will prepare them for a life change, or a career opportunity after their release date. Providing free education for prisoners who have never considered going to college before being incarcerated may be their only option to turn to.

Although the percentage of State prison inmates who reported taking education courses while confined fell from 57% in 1991 to 52% in 1997, the number who participated in an educational program since admission increased from 402,500 inmates in 1991 to 550,000 in 1997”( https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/ecp.pdf). In 2015 president Obama tried to create a program that will give some prisoners the right to take college classes in prison with the help of federal Pell Grants. According to this program, colleges participate in allowing prisoners to take college classes or want to participate can actually help and expand this program allowing inmates to receive education that can actually help them in the future. The most effective way to keep people out of prison is give them skills that you receive in college that will make them desirable employees. According to the 2014 National Research Council report “Many people enter prison with educational deficits and could benefit from education while

Education is not a fix all by any means, but it is the best start to solving the large literacy rates of US prisons. Of course, it will require much hard work on the part of the prisoner getting out, and there may be a large percentage who do not desire to take advantage of such programs, but Americans should encourage and give these individuals tools to help them back into society. Pont sums it up best, “Our aim should be to propel offenders into, rather than away from, successful participation in the labor force” (23). Stimulation of involvement in the work force will encourage offenders of the law to stay out of trouble rather than to take the revolving door that always leads back to the same place.