The Benefits Of Prison Education

The decision to allow an inmate to participate in a postsecondary programs is entirely in the hands of the individual prison administrators (Palmer, 2012). Postsecondary education is educational programs beyond the secondary level, especially education at the college or university level. Prison managers cannot plan or budget appropriately for literacy services unless they have accurate and reliable information about the extent of the need for services for prisoners who cannot read and write (Rankin 2005). Moreover, teachers of incarcerated youth are often isolated and do not have access to either typical district/local education agency in-service opportunities or training targeted to the unique situation in which they teach (Gagnon, 2014).

Educational activities, are techniques that are used to prepare inmates for the real world. Integrating life and job skills into their lives reduces the chance of recidivism. Prison education may also change the inmates’ attitudes toward life in general, lead to improved self-esteem, confidence, and self-awareness, and help them find a good job upon release and resist committing further offenses (Pettit & Kroth, 2011). It is important for inmates to have a balanced schedule while they are taking educational programs in order to be

Educational programs help prisoners realize the reasons importance of having a job after release. Palmer explains how postsecondary programs offering job-related schooling and college credit courses for qualified inmates can possibly reduce recidivism. Postsecondary education programs help inmates use their perceptiveness to understand the importance of avoiding conflict in and outside prison which decreases the likelihood for recidivism. After and while taking educational programs, prisoners may reflect on their actions, there is also a higher sense of motivation. For example, if an inmate gets a job after release there will be a less likely chance that he/she will recidivate. Prison education may also change the inmates’ attitudes toward life in general, lead to improved self-esteem, confidence, and self-awareness, and help them find a good job upon release and resist committing further offenses (Pettit & Kroth, 2011). Unfortunately, several studies have shown that lack of motivation, personal issues, and conflict within the prison, and or transferring to another prison are barriers of completion. Another obstacle for completion would be not having the resources needed to complete assignments. However, an individual with a controlled psychological disorder may enroll in the program, but may find the stress of participation exacerbates the condition, further limiting the likelihood of completion