Help for Inmates 

Inmate & Reentry Education

 

In a major federal study of individuals released from state prisons, 94 percent of incarcerated adults nearing release identified education as a key reentry need. Most incarcerated adults did not complete high school, although many have subsequently earned equivalency diplomas. Education is a core resource for release preparation, and is an evidence-based tool for reducing recidivism among adults and juveniles. For example, empirical research in the federal prison system, where literacy education programming is mandatory for most inmates, has demonstrated that participation in education programming is associated with a 16-percent reduction in recidivism. Education is also a critical building block for increasing employment opportunities.

 

The Department of Education (ED) undertook a Department-wide review of reentry-related issues. Consensus was reached on broad priorities including the prevention of initial criminal justice system contact, enhancing in-facility educational opportunities (quality and access), and supporting transitions into community-based educational programs and services for formerly incarcerated youth and adults.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An Education Continuum

 

How can we solve the reentry challenge and ensure that incarcerated individuals and those under community supervision become productive members of society?

Although there is no one answer, a growing body of evidence shows that providing offenders with education and training increases their employment opportunities, addresses their cognitive deficits, and helps reduce their likelihood of recidivating. More work is needed, however, to ensure that low-skill individuals in the corrections population have access to these services and can advance their education and employment prospects despite their correctional status.

The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Vocational and Adult Education, therefore, supported the development of a correctional education reentry model illustrating an education continuum to bridge the gap between prison and community-based education and training programs. The goal of this model is to ensure that offenders can gain the knowledge and skills needed to obtain long-term, living-wage employment, and transition successfully out of the corrections system. It is based on a review of research studies and feedback from a panel of experts, including practitioners, administrators, and researchers in the fields of corrections and education.

To create this education continuum, the model focuses on:

• Strengthening and aligning education services provided in correctional institutions and the community to support successful movement between the two.

• Establishing a strong program infrastructure to support and improve education services.

• Ensuring education is well integrated into the corrections system by making it a critical component of intake and prerelease processes and closely linking it to support and employment services.

• Encouraging individuals to identify and achieve education and career goals, while recognizing that their education path is not linear or uniform.

 

Each step on the continuum requires the institution and community-based education programs and their partners to collaborate, communicate, and work toward a shared vision: helping those who are incarcerated and under community supervision move out of the corrections system and become productive members of society.

 

 

Education Resources

 

DISTANCE EDUCATION AND TRAINING COUNCIL

1601 18th Street NW

Washington DC 20009

(202) 234-5100

• List of accredited correspondence institutions.

 

OHIO UNIVERSITY COLLEGE PROGRAM FOR THE INCARCERATED

Ohio University Correctional Education

102 Haning Hall

1 Ohio University

Athens OH 45701

Correspondence courses for prisoners. Write for free catalog of courses offered and current prices.