Learning to Reduce Recidivism: A 50-state analysis of postsecondary education policy Wendy Erisman Institute for Higher Education Policy Washington, DC

Part of Larger Research Agenda To look at subgroups facing unique barriers to accessing higher education To look at subgroups facing unique barriers to accessing higher education Disabled Students Disabled Students Foster Youth Foster Youth Immigrant Students Immigrant Students Working Poor Working Poor Rural Students Rural Students LGBT Students LGBT Students

Prisoners in the U.S. 1.5 million adults incarcerated in state and federal prisons as of December million adults incarcerated in state and federal prisons as of December 2004 Prisoners are disproportionately: Prisoners are disproportionately: Male Male Racial/ethnic minorities Racial/ethnic minorities Impoverished Impoverished Group that has been poorly served by educational system Group that has been poorly served by educational system

Educational Attainment of Prisoners

Why Offer Higher Education to Prisoners? Fewer disciplinary problems Fewer disciplinary problems Improved self-esteem and critical thinking Improved self-esteem and critical thinking Can become role models for their children Can become role models for their children Increased employment prospects Increased employment prospects Reduced recidivism Reduced recidivism

Higher Education and Recidivism More than half of released prisoners return to prison within 3 years More than half of released prisoners return to prison within 3 years Studies show that taking college classes while in prison reduces recidivism by 46% on average Studies show that taking college classes while in prison reduces recidivism by 46% on average Reduced recidivism lowers incarceration costs Reduced recidivism lowers incarceration costs $30 billion annually as of 2001 $30 billion annually as of 2001

Research Questions What is the current status of higher education in American prisons? What is the current status of higher education in American prisons? What barriers are preventing prisoners from gaining access to higher education? What barriers are preventing prisoners from gaining access to higher education? What innovative efforts are helping prisoners gain access to higher education? What innovative efforts are helping prisoners gain access to higher education?

Methods Quantitative Quantitative Survey of correctional education administrators Survey of correctional education administrators 45 states and Federal Bureau of Prisons responded 45 states and Federal Bureau of Prisons responded 90% response rate 90% response rate Qualitative Qualitative Open-Ended Survey Question Open-Ended Survey Question Follow-Up Telephone Interviews Follow-Up Telephone Interviews Review of Incarcerated Youth Offender Reports Review of Incarcerated Youth Offender Reports Focus Group with Prisoners in Virginia Focus Group with Prisoners in Virginia

Status of Higher Education in American Prisons of 46 responding prison systems offered some higher education for inmates 44 of 46 responding prison systems offered some higher education for inmates At least 85,491 prisoners took college classes during At least 85,491 prisoners took college classes during % of total prison population 5% of total prison population 11% of prisoners with GED or high school diploma 11% of prisoners with GED or high school diploma Similar to percentage enrolled prior to loss of Pell Grants in 1994 Similar to percentage enrolled prior to loss of Pell Grants in 1994

Uneven Participation 15 prison systems: 15 prison systems: Incarcerated 66% of all prisoners Incarcerated 66% of all prisoners Enrolled 89% of inmate-students Enrolled 89% of inmate-students Granted 96% of degrees and certificates Granted 96% of degrees and certificates Key factor: Key factor: Strong institutional and state support for correctional education Strong institutional and state support for correctional education

Higher Enrollment Prison Systems

Average Enrollment

Degree and Certificate Programs

Completions

Vocational Education 62% of prisoners taking classes for college credit were enrolled in vocational programs 62% of prisoners taking classes for college credit were enrolled in vocational programs 92% of those who earned a credential in earned a vocational certificate 92% of those who earned a credential in earned a vocational certificate

Eligibility Factors

Sources of Instruction

Means of Instruction

Funding Sources Federal Incarcerated Youth Offender Grants (IYO) Federal Incarcerated Youth Offender Grants (IYO) State Appropriations State Appropriations Inmate Self-Payment Inmate Self-Payment State Grants for Low-Income Students State Grants for Low-Income Students Scholarships/Donations Scholarships/Donations

Funding by Enrollment

Barriers to Access Inadequate funding Inadequate funding IYO restrictions IYO restrictions Limited funds Limited funds Per student spending cap Per student spending cap Age limit Age limit Lack of support from state officials Lack of support from state officials Inmate self-funding impractical Inmate self-funding impractical

Barriers to Access Poor academic preparation Poor academic preparation Logistical problems Logistical problems Security protocols Security protocols Remote locations Remote locations Difficulties hiring/retaining instructors Difficulties hiring/retaining instructors Prison overcrowding Prison overcrowding Involuntary transfer of inmates Involuntary transfer of inmates

Barriers to Access Structural/organizational barriers Structural/organizational barriers Staff resentment Staff resentment Obstructive policies Obstructive policies Competing priorities Competing priorities Lack of public support Lack of public support

Innovative Programs Texas Legislature required that prisoners reimburse state for educational costs Legislature required that prisoners reimburse state for educational costs Repayment after release Repayment after release Payment plan negotiated with parole officer Payment plan negotiated with parole officer Over $1.1 million repaid Over $1.1 million repaid

Innovative Programs Minnesota Lost all state funding for academic higher education programs Lost all state funding for academic higher education programs Created private foundation to raise funds Created private foundation to raise funds Board includes Commissioner of Corrections and a community college president Board includes Commissioner of Corrections and a community college president Funds raised go to consortium of colleges that provide classes in state prisons Funds raised go to consortium of colleges that provide classes in state prisons

Innovative Programs New Mexico Small prison system/large area Small prison system/large area Web-based distance education via secure connection from single university to multiple prisons Web-based distance education via secure connection from single university to multiple prisons All state prisons have computer labs and offer the same classes All state prisons have computer labs and offer the same classes Each prison also has a trained coordinator to assist inmate-students Each prison also has a trained coordinator to assist inmate-students

Innovative Programs North Carolina High enrollments/high completions High enrollments/high completions Partnership between corrections and community college system Partnership between corrections and community college system Shared costs Shared costs Steering committee meets regularly Steering committee meets regularly Matrix based on length of average sentence determines which facilities offer which programs Matrix based on length of average sentence determines which facilities offer which programs

Policy Recommendations Additional funding is needed Additional funding is needed Reinstate Pell Grants for inmates Reinstate Pell Grants for inmates Expand IYO program and raise age limit Expand IYO program and raise age limit Increase state appropriations Increase state appropriations Ensure that state colleges and universities receive formula funding Ensure that state colleges and universities receive formula funding Make inmates eligible for state grants Make inmates eligible for state grants Seek additional private resources Seek additional private resources

Policy Recommendations State-level support is essential State-level support is essential Encourage close relationships among key state agencies Encourage close relationships among key state agencies Build partnerships with colleges/universities Build partnerships with colleges/universities Develop supportive state/institutional policies Develop supportive state/institutional policies Policymakers and public need education Policymakers and public need education Publicize successful outcomes Publicize successful outcomes Emphasize inmate accountability Emphasize inmate accountability

Learning to Reduce Recidivism: A 50-state analysis of postsecondary education policy Funded by the Ford Foundation Report available for download at