Prison should be a punishment. But that’s not all there is to it. Opportunities for personal reform and change must be provided. This is beneficial not only to the inmates, but also to society, which needs reformed people who have committed wrongdoings.
A robust education system for prisoners is a proven method to reduce the likelihood of recidivism. Education also tends to improve post-release outcomes, helping those who have served time to reintegrate into society more smoothly.
Texas has a number of programs aimed at assisting with reintegration into society, including within the education system. However, capacity is not meeting demand, according to the recent Texas 2036 report. In the next Congress, lawmakers should work to expand opportunities.
Between courts, police, and the prison system itself, recidivism costs Texas billions of dollars each year. One good way to reduce that cost is to get as many prisoners as possible through educational programs.
There were about 134,000 inmates in state prisons as of July, according to a September report from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. According to TDCJ, the recidivism rate for the 2017 cohort released was about 20%, but it dropped to nearly 15% for the 2019 cohort. While positive progress like this is good, it’s not a reason to stop improving.
According to Texas 2036, research shows that inmates who participate in educational programs are at least 28 percent less likely to reoffend and are more likely to earn higher wages upon release. These inflation-adjusted wages are several thousand dollars higher.
According to Texas 2036, inmate enrollment reached a high of 7,203 in 2011, but fell by more than half to 3,581 in 2022. As of April, there was a waiting list of more than 8,300 inmates interested in participating in these educational programs.
Completion rates declined more slowly than overall enrollment, dropping from 1,752 degrees and certificates awarded in 2011 to 945 in 2022, a roughly 46% decrease. This completion rate generally exceeds the average six-year graduation rate for community colleges, the Texas 2036 report explains.
Tens of thousands of inmates in Texas want to better themselves and improve their prospects upon release. And our society needs people to achieve a certain level of growth and escape from the harsh environment of prison.
Expanding educational opportunities is not a magic solution, and we will never achieve it perfectly. But that’s no reason not to strive for everyone’s benefit.
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