Should We Educate Prisoners?

Should we educate prisoners? Here's what two Illinois studies have
found in recent years:

The major study done on education and recidivism was a report entitled
"The Positive Impact of Corrections Eduation on Recidivism and Employment"
done by the Ill Dept of corrections and the Illinois Council on Vocational
Education (1997).  It might be possible to obtain a copy from IDOC
in springfield (217) 522-2666 and ask to be connected to school district 428).

There's a lot of info, tables, and charts, but the bottom line is that
completing an education program or vocational training within a year or
so of release DRAMATICALLY reduces recidivism (by about 25 pct) and 
saves the taxpayers money. The benefits of education are greatest
when the vocational or other program is completed within 18 months
of release.
 
A second study by Roosevelt Uniersity (1994): Department of Corrections
Program--A Program for Human Renewal (Performance Indicators,
October, 1998 to September, 1994) / 5th Annual Report. Roosevelt University,
430 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL (60605) also found that educating
prisoners contributed to:

   1) A recidivism rate of 5 pct compared to the State of Illinois
      recidivism rate of 46 pct during the first three years and
      75 pct after 6 years

   2) An indirect effect (net benefit) to state and federal 
      taxpayers of over $1.5 million annually

   3) An indirect cost savings to the Illinois Dept of Corrections of
      about $2.5 million annually
  
   4) Substantial savings to taxpayers from reduced welfare costs,
      reduced unemployment insurance costs, reduced health care costs,
      and other general assistance costs.

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Page maintained by: Jim Thomas - jthomas@sun.soci.niu.edu