Why is it important to educate incarcerated individuals? Programs like college in prison have shown a significant impact on reducing recidivism rates, highlighting the benefits of providing educational opportunities to those behind bars.
95% of the currently incarcerated individuals will eventually be released. Do you want them returning to your community with the same skill set that led them to prison? Or would you prefer to see them educated through programs like college in prison, better equipped to contribute positively to society and ultimately reduce recidivism rates?
Incarcerated individuals who pursue a college education in prison exhibit 43% lower recidivism rates compared to those who do not receive such education. Additionally, it costs over $50,000 to house one inmate for a year in Colorado, and this figure rises to over $100,000 in New York and California. The math is quite straightforward.
For every one dollar invested in educating incarcerated individuals through programs like college in prison, it saves five dollars in recidivism expenses. This straightforward math also overlooks the emotional benefits that come with personal growth, introspection, and lifelong learning.