Seattle Press on Line - Educating Inmates is Worth the Investment

Seattle Press guest editorial

Educating Inmates is Worth the Investment

By State Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles

Jun 20, 2002 -- It's graduation season again. Thousands of students in Washington are donning caps and gowns. Parents are picking out just-the-right gift to mark this rite of passage for their sons and daughters. Valedictorians, class presidents and guest speakers are working hard to prepare a commencement address that they hope will be remembered 20 years from now.

I was one of these speakers recently. But the students I addressed were not typical. They were not headed to college or their first job, nor did they have plans to travel with friends. They were headed back to their cells at McNeil Island Corrections Center.

Harsh as this may sound, these graduates weren't despondent about their future. On the contrary, they were one step closer to being prepared for self-sufficiency once they leave prison.

In addition to General Education Development (GED) certificates, graduates earned certificates and degrees in information technology, business, accounting, welding, facilities management and other fields. And, perhaps most important, they earned a sense of accomplishment, self-respect and hope.

These graduates were able to do this thanks to education programs available at McNeil Island Corrections Center (and other correctional facilities in Washington). Unfortunately, these very programs are constantly threatened with budget cuts - even more so during tight fiscal times. Why? Because our state's correctional facilities are not required to offer vocational or post-secondary education. The state's only obligation is to provide basic education for inmates up to age 21. Prisons can choose to operate supplemental programs, but they don't have to. And they can't if they don't get enough financial support.

This is not a new dilemma. Since the 1990s, when the "tough-on-crime" era swept Congress and the states, federal and state support for correctional education has eroded. Inmate eligibility for Pell grants for post-secondary education was eliminated in 1994. Federal funding for adult and vocational education disappeared a few years later. Limitations have even been placed on special education services for people behind bars.

Here in Washington, it has been a battle to maintain funds for correctional education. A law passed in 1995 eliminated all state funding for post-secondary education, leaving inmates to pay for both tuition and associated administrative costs incurred by the Department of Corrections. Given that most prisoners have little or no discretionary income, this has meant that few prisoners are realizing the dream of a college education. I sponsored a bill in 1998 that allows inmates to take some work-related courses as long as they can pay for tuition. While no longer burdened with administrative costs, it's still nearly impossible for someone behind bars to earn a college degree.

Just last year, vocational education programs like the one at McNeil Island Corrections Center came under fire as the Department of Corrections looked for ways to trim its budget. The same thing happened this year, as the Legislature struggled to plug the state's $1.5 billion deficit. In the end, we were able to protect most funding - but not all. And we are likely to face the same scenario next year.

But cutting these programs to save money in the short run is folly for the long haul.

Consider this: Simply attending school behind bars reduces the likelihood of re-incarceration by 23 percent, according to a 2001 study conducted for the U.S. Department of Education. Graduates of vocational education programs here in our state are 40 percent less likely than non-graduates to commit another crime, according to the Washington Institute for Public Policy. Graduates also are far more likely to support their families, pay restitution and taxes, and become more productive, responsible members of society.

Here's something else to think about: It costs about $25,000 to jail one inmate for one year. In contrast, it costs only $1,000 on average to educate an inmate for a year. And if correctional education helps prevent former inmates from committing more crimes, that means fewer victims - which means less suffering for our fellow citizens and less money spent on enforcement, prosecution and incarceration.

Building more prisons and jailing more people has not deterred crime, as evidenced by a recent U.S. Justice Department study. On the contrary, recidivism rates increased by 5 percent during a time when our national prison population doubled. I believe that continued investment in education, particularly post-secondary education, is the fiscally and socially responsible alternative. One of the bills I have been working on would prevent the elimination of educational programs that are cost-effective in reducing recidivism. I have also been working to increase offenders' access to on-line learning, including secure ways for inmates to use our state's K-20 Educational Telecommunications Network, a high-speed telecommunications backbone that enables the use of the Internet and videoconferencing in all of Washington's public educational sectors.

As I heard the stories shared by the McNeil Island Corrections Center graduates - stories of dramatic turn-around for people who seemed doomed to a life of crime - my belief in the value of education was confirmed. Perhaps one of the graduates said it best: "Education has taught me the value of persistence, patience and dedication. It has helped me understand that there are no limits to our dreams. And if we keep our focus on those dreams, they will happen."

Now, that's money well spent.

Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles represents the 36th Legislative District and serves on the Senate Human Services & Corrections Committee. She also chairs the Senate Higher Education Committee and serves on the Senate Education and Ways & Means committees.

Reader Comments

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Robert Currier	Sep 13, 2002	Kent, WA	Aviation Security
My son is presently serving time at Clallam Bay Correctional Facility. I would appreciate any information anyone may have on how he can obtain a college degree while he is in the state facility. Correspondence programs, funding, schools that will cater to an inmate, as well as any points of contact. Please refer to my email above. Thank you R.E. Currier


Dawn McCabe	Oct 13, 2002	California	sales
My brother is incarcerated at Airway Heights, Wa. He has taken all the classes that he was allowed before the state cancelled the education programs.I'm trying to help prepare him for his release date.He wants to open and build his own business.I can send him books, money and information on the type of work he's interested in, but he also needs business classes.Would you have any information or suggestions on furthering his education? He works hard at his job and is also trying very hard to build a better future for himself. Thank You for your time, Dawn R. McCabe


Alba Sarmiento	Nov 07, 2002	Chicago, IL	Undergraduate Student
I strongly believe that inmates should have the opportunity to have an education within the correction facility while serving their years. Inmates have the right to learn as we do out here, it doesn't matter if they commited a crime or not, we are no one to stop a person form learning and having an education.Besides,it will benefit the inmate and our country if we think about it.


Andy charles	Nov 29, 2002	New York	High School student
I believe that educating inmates is a good thing. In school my friend and I are suppose to do our class presentation on inmate and education. Many people believe that since the inmates did the crime they have to pay the time, And that means just locking them up and throw away the keys. But I think that when the inmates recieve an education, they can get a job and help support their families, and their more likely to stay out of prison.


Cecilia Tomczeszyn	Jul 07, 2003	East Jordan, MI	Factory Worker
My husband is serving time in a Michigan Facility and I am trying to get him some correspondence courses and don't know where to really look. He is in a level V facility so he is very limited as to what he can have. He wants to become an Attorney or an Accountant but he is not allowed a calculator. Please I am looking for any imformation.


Shirley	Aug 07, 2003	San Francisco, CA	File Clerk
My brother is incarcerated in Sheridan, Oregan. He is in a federal prison camp. He is interested in participating in correspondance classes. I have just started to search for programs on the internet. If anyone has any information, can you forward it to my email. Thank you.


Frene	Sep 14, 2003	PA	Socialworker
I strongly agree that inmates should receive a post secondary correctional education. I have been doing research on the effects of post secondary correctional education on the reduction rate of recidivism. The reports that I have reviewed along with my field study concurred. When inmates receive post secondary correctional education the likelyhood of them returning to prison is reduce. I also found that inmates are role models for others.


Visitor	Oct 10, 2003	Riverside, Ca. 92504	Retired - Bookkeeper
This is an inquirey for a correspondence coure for my son that is an inmate at a Californis State Prison.At this perticuler institution they don't have access to a computer. All is done by reguler (snail) mail. Any help/ information would be gratly appreciated. Thank You.


Jay	Dec 19, 2003	Puget Sound	Student/Chef
Most important is the Lord's word. Next is general education. Without the latter, we could never read the former. Encourage your legislators not to cut education funds for prisoners.


Jessica Delgadillo	Feb 11, 2004	Milton-Freewater, Or	assistant manager
My boyfriend is currently doing his time in Airway Heights Correction Center, he will be graduating this year. I'm very proud of all his hard work and his ability to better himself. I believe if inmates are going to spend their lives locked up they might as well spend it educating themselves.


Lee	Mar 22, 2004	Burbank, CA USA	teacher
My brother is in a California State Prison and would like to continue his education. If he doesn't have access to a computer, can you recomend any good correspondence courses for a Master's degree?


Tonya Crawford	May 17, 2004	Tacoma Wa	administrative medical assista
I am so for education in the prisons, my spouse is at this time incarcerated at mcneil island corrections center. we were just talking towards him taking up courses such as the welding course, or the information technology. he was very excited and anchored towards doing this, but of course we have the financial issue, an issue that stops most of us from doing the thing we want to do most. but we are not giving up yet, because where there is a will there is a way and before he comes out to this free world, he will have a degree in something, and yes this is my faith talking. so thank you to thoes of you who are pushing for education in prisons. GOD BLESS YOU!!!


Wantafelicia Wallace	Jul 18, 2004	Minnesota	Educator
I stubbled upon this site, while doing some reasearch in favor of supporting education for inmates. General Topic: Educating prisoners Narrowed Topic: Percentages decrease in Repeat Offenders who accomplish Post Secondary Education while serving prison sentencing One Electronic resource: Issues and controversies ìEducating Prisonersî Issues and Controversies 25 July. 2003 Online. Facts.com Available through MCTC library website Justification ìPostsecondary Prison Educationî in the Issues and Controversies section of Facts.com was my starting point that opened up an umbrella of opportunities, however I needed to narrow my topic therefore I chose to focus on the percentage of repeat offenders decrease when post secondary education is achieved. The article provides a history of prison education, additional resources and keywords with points. The article provide and overview of the issue: Shoaled prison maintain postsecondary education programs to educate prisoners, which serves as a direct interest to my thesis. The article provide information of the law enacted in 1995 Standard Minimum Rules for Treatment of Prisoners, the U.N. declared ìproviso shall be made for the further education of al prisoners capable of profiting thereby.î (Correlating with the political, social and constitutional aspects of my intended thesis.) Overcrowding of prisons only increases our need to support post education in prison with imperative urgency, because knowledge is power and power is freedom. Keywords I used were criminal justice, education, prevention, violent, youth, prison, educating adults, reduces recidivism, equality, services, and law enforcement act. Print reference source: subject encyclopedia Unger, Harlow. Prison Education. ìEncyclopedia of American Educationî Online. Is availably through the MCTC, web site. Perspectives and research strategy There are several perspectives under which my topic falls under, such as ethical and legal and political just to name a few. For the purposes of my topic and research I have chose to focus on the ethical/morals and political viewpoints. Here are some questions I have come up with to help guide me to prove my thesis with the findings that may/may not support it Thesis Statement Every United States citizen has the right to an education. Be it an inmate serving a limited amount of time in prison, an inmate serving a life sentencing or a condemned inmate on death row. If we as taxpayers support our nation, whom educates its people, be-it confined or free we set the positive paths for the world to model and follow after the United States. Education should not be just humanistic but also a given freedom that any human being should have excess and entitle to because its their humanistic right until the day or night he/she can no longer inhale.


Janelle Eiman	Oct 11, 2004	Chaska, MN	Student
I strongly advocate secondary and higher education with in correctional facilities. I am finding it very difficult to get information on how to become a prison educator. Please help.(education requirements, specific subjects of study, ect)


Barbra Davis	Dec 15, 2004	Carlisle, PA usa	Administrative Asst
I am trying to find a correspondence course for my son who is in FCI Schuykill Prison in Pennsylvania. He wants to be a writer. He has already started writing, but he needs the basics as to how to write.


ROBERT FAULK	Jan 12, 2005	MULDRAUGH, KY 40155	COLLEGE STUDENT (CURRENTLY ENE
I FIRST VISITED THIS SITE LOOKING FOR SOME INPUT FOR A SCHOOL PAPER OF PRISONERS RIGHTS TO EDUCATION. AT FIRST I CAN HONSETLY SAY THAT I WAS AGAINST THE WHOLE THING. AFTER READING THIS SITE AND SOME OF THE PEOPLES COMMENTS AND STORIES I REALIZE THAT I WAS WRONG. EDUCATION DOES SEEM TO BE LOGICAL. MANY OF MY TEACHERS SAY THAT I AM PRETTY SKILLED IN WRITING I BELIEVE THAT I SHOULD PUT THIS SKILL TO GOOD USE. THIS SITE HAS REALLY SPIKED MY INTEREST AND I'M PLANNING ON BECOMING VERY INVOLVED IN THIS ISSUE. ANYONE WITH A GOOD STORY OR INFORMATION SUPPORTING PRISONERS RECIEVING EDUCATION PLEASE FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME AT LONEWOLF40155@YAHOO.COM OR WRITE TO ROBERT FAULK, 102 BRANCH STREET #8, MULDRAUGH KY 40155....THANKS TO ALL OF YOU ON THIS SITE, BECAUSE OF YOU I WILL PUT FOR ALL MY EFFORT IN SPREADING YOURS IDEALS (PRISONERS SHOULD RECIEVE EDUCATION) TO THE BEST OF MY CAPABILITY....


Sarah MCGillis	Nov 29, 2005	Flint, Michigan	Forensic Science student / mot
I have a good friend thats an inmate in Muskegon MI.. and he was asking me to find any information about the CED (College Education Degree).. and see if i can find any information on financial aid for inmates... I have been searching all day, n i havet found anything that is helping me out one bit.. he is from a low income family..so they do not have much money at all.. If anyone has any information that could help me out can u please email me and let me know..... thank you so very much....

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