Nontraditional Degree Attainment Educating our Prison Population: Transformative Education, Social Welfare, or Are We Just Plain Crazy? Jennifer D. Smith

Nontraditional Degree AttainmentNontraditional Degree Attainment

Educating our Prison Population: Educating our Prison Population: Transformative Education, Social Welfare, Transformative Education, Social Welfare,

or Are We Just Plain Crazy?or Are We Just Plain Crazy?

Jennifer D. SmithJennifer D. SmithNontraditional Adult Higher EducationNontraditional Adult Higher Education

Spring, 2006Spring, 2006

Presentation Outline:Presentation Outline:

History History Criminal Justice SystemCriminal Justice System Correctional EducationCorrectional Education

Today’s State of AffairsToday’s State of Affairs

RecidivismRecidivism

Prison EducationPrison Education

Testimony Testimony

RecommendationsRecommendations

ExerciseExercise

The United States incarcerates more people than The United States incarcerates more people than any other industrialized countryany other industrialized country

From 1975-1990, the number of inmates in state & federal From 1975-1990, the number of inmates in state & federal prisons increased by almost 200% prisons increased by almost 200%

By 1998, 1 in every 150 U.S. residents were in jail By 1998, 1 in every 150 U.S. residents were in jail

Houston, TX is incarcerated! (2 million) Houston, TX is incarcerated! (2 million)

Vacca, J. (2004). Educated Prisoners Are Less Likely to Return to Prison. Journal of Correctional Education. December 2004.Vacca, J. (2004). Educated Prisoners Are Less Likely to Return to Prison. Journal of Correctional Education. December 2004.http://www.360degrees.orghttp://www.360degrees.org

Criminal Justice System & Criminal Justice System & Correctional Education HistoryCorrectional Education History

The Dawn of Prison (1776-1828)The Dawn of Prison (1776-1828)

• Newgate Prison in Conneticut-1773Newgate Prison in Conneticut-1773

•““Panopticon” by Jeremy Bentham-The Ultimate PrisonPanopticon” by Jeremy Bentham-The Ultimate Prison

•Gin causes problems (property and violent crimes)Gin causes problems (property and violent crimes)

•The Pennsylvania system (segregation and Quaker ideals) vs. Auburn The Pennsylvania system (segregation and Quaker ideals) vs. Auburn •system (congregate)system (congregate)

•Correctional Education Movement in the US begins (1789)- Walnut Street jail in PhillyCorrectional Education Movement in the US begins (1789)- Walnut Street jail in Philly

•Chain gangs and prison reformChain gangs and prison reform

•First juvenile institution-1825First juvenile institution-1825

http://www.ncsall.nethttp://www.ncsall.net

http://www.360degrees.orghttp://www.360degrees.org


The Police & Social Disorder (1828-1865)The Police & Social Disorder (1828-1865)• Gangs (street, ethnic, religious, organized crime units, etc)Gangs (street, ethnic, religious, organized crime units, etc)• Penitentiary reigns and continue to crumblePenitentiary reigns and continue to crumble• New York City Police Department formed-1844New York City Police Department formed-1844• Rehabilitation worksRehabilitation works• Boston Prison Discipline Society & the Sabbath School Movement-1833Boston Prison Discipline Society & the Sabbath School Movement-1833• Mary Carpenter opened the Ragged School in England-1846Mary Carpenter opened the Ragged School in England-1846

Reformatory, Child Saving, Race Laws (1865-1890)Reformatory, Child Saving, Race Laws (1865-1890)• Convict lease system, chain gangs, and the penal farmConvict lease system, chain gangs, and the penal farm• American Prison Congress & reform-1870American Prison Congress & reform-1870• First women’s prison opened in IN-1873First women’s prison opened in IN-1873• Pioneer Zebulon Brockway-Supt. at the Elmira Reformatory in NY-1876 to 1900Pioneer Zebulon Brockway-Supt. at the Elmira Reformatory in NY-1876 to 1900• The electric chair replaces hanging (needed a more humane way to execute The electric chair replaces hanging (needed a more humane way to execute prisoners)prisoners)

http://www.ncsall.net http://www.ncsall.net http://www.360degrees.orghttp://www.360degrees.org


Drugs, Sex, and Hysteria (1890-1917)Drugs, Sex, and Hysteria (1890-1917)

• First Federal prison (Leavenworth, Kentucky-took 30 yrs to complete)- First Federal prison (Leavenworth, Kentucky-took 30 yrs to complete)- 1897 and probation1897 and probation• Progressive Era called for prison reform and emphasis on educating Progressive Era called for prison reform and emphasis on educating prisoners-1901 to 1929prisoners-1901 to 1929• Katharine Bement Davis, Supt. Of Bedford Hills Reformatory for Women Katharine Bement Davis, Supt. Of Bedford Hills Reformatory for Women adapted school education to the needs of prison populationadapted school education to the needs of prison population

Police Reform & the Big House (1917-1945)Police Reform & the Big House (1917-1945)• Uniform crime report, evolution of the FBI, AlcatrazUniform crime report, evolution of the FBI, Alcatraz• Austin MacCormick founded the Correctional Education Association Austin MacCormick founded the Correctional Education Association • Big House (average of 2,500 inmates): San Quentin-CA, Sing Sing-NY, Big House (average of 2,500 inmates): San Quentin-CA, Sing Sing-NY, Stateville-IL, Stateville-IL, and Jackson-MIand Jackson-MI• The Journal of Correctional Education was founded-1937The Journal of Correctional Education was founded-1937

http://www.360degrees.orghttp://www.360degrees.orghttp://www.ncsall.nethttp://www.ncsall.net


White Collar Crime (1945-1961)White Collar Crime (1945-1961)• The American Prisoner Assoc. changed its name to the American The American Prisoner Assoc. changed its name to the American “Correctional” “Correctional” Assoc.-1954Assoc.-1954• Rehabilitation and correctional institutions Rehabilitation and correctional institutions (educational opportunities (educational opportunities emerge)emerge)• Prisoners Rights Movement-1950s & 1960sPrisoners Rights Movement-1950s & 1960s

Civil Disobedience & Activism (1960-1970)Civil Disobedience & Activism (1960-1970)• Prisoners Rights Movement-1950s & 1960sPrisoners Rights Movement-1950s & 1960s• Right to an attorney, even to those who can’t afford one Right to an attorney, even to those who can’t afford one • The TX Prison College was established-1965The TX Prison College was established-1965• Jury Selection and Service Act of 1968-uniform criteria for jury serviceJury Selection and Service Act of 1968-uniform criteria for jury service

http://www.360degrees.orghttp://www.360degrees.org

Htpp://www.ncsall.netHtpp://www.ncsall.net

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War on Drugs (1970-1980)War on Drugs (1970-1980)• Riots at Attica-1971Riots at Attica-1971• Rockefeller Drug Laws Rockefeller Drug Laws • Death penalty is unconstitutional (1972), but comes back in Death penalty is unconstitutional (1972), but comes back in

19761976• Jury service can’t be restricted to men and we should be paid Jury service can’t be restricted to men and we should be paid

just like the men-1975just like the men-1975• Rehabilitation doesn’t work-1970sRehabilitation doesn’t work-1970s

Crackdown and Get Tough (1980-1990)Crackdown and Get Tough (1980-1990)• Ronald Reagan is in office, AIDS is ignored, Just Say No, and Ronald Reagan is in office, AIDS is ignored, Just Say No, and

Crack is on the sceneCrack is on the scene• Prison population booms and jails are overlooked (mandatory Prison population booms and jails are overlooked (mandatory

min sentencing)min sentencing)• Prison privatization, boot camps, and tougher legislationPrison privatization, boot camps, and tougher legislation


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Three Strikes and You’re Out (1992-2000)Three Strikes and You’re Out (1992-2000)• Supermax prison, community policing, three strikes Supermax prison, community policing, three strikes

sentencingsentencing• More women are incarcerated and police brutality is rampantMore women are incarcerated and police brutality is rampant• Pell grant funding for prisoners was eliminated-1993 to 1994 Pell grant funding for prisoners was eliminated-1993 to 1994

(Violent Crime Control & Law Enforcement Act of 1993 and (Violent Crime Control & Law Enforcement Act of 1993 and the Higher Educ Reauthorization Act of 1994)the Higher Educ Reauthorization Act of 1994)

The 21The 21stst century century• Conservative approach to treatment of prisonersConservative approach to treatment of prisoners• Crime is down, budgets are more difficult to justify (we spend Crime is down, budgets are more difficult to justify (we spend

more on prisons, than we do education)more on prisons, than we do education)• Racial profiling, Death penalty moratorium,Racial profiling, Death penalty moratorium, etc. etc.


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The Average PrisonerThe Average Prisoner

In 2000, the number of incarcerated men and women reached 2 In 2000, the number of incarcerated men and women reached 2 million,million,

costing about $40 billion/yearcosting about $40 billion/year

About the average prisoner:About the average prisoner: Is functionally illiterateIs functionally illiterate Is drug/alcohol involvedIs drug/alcohol involved Probably learning disabledProbably learning disabled Was a juvenile delinquentWas a juvenile delinquent 53% are in federal prison because of drug offenses (Illinois leads the 53% are in federal prison because of drug offenses (Illinois leads the

nation)nation) Abused substancesAbused substances Is a non-violent offenderIs a non-violent offender Came from a dysfunctional household with a history of abuseCame from a dysfunctional household with a history of abuse About 41% in state/federal prisons have not completed H.S.About 41% in state/federal prisons have not completed H.S. Is usually male (& of color)Is usually male (& of color) Average age is 37Average age is 37 Has a mental health issueHas a mental health issue

Federal Bureau of Prisons

Bureau of Justice Statistics

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Current State of AffairsCurrent State of Affairs

The average annual operation cost per state inmate was $22,650The average annual operation cost per state inmate was $22,650

The average annual operation cost per federal inmate was $22,632The average annual operation cost per federal inmate was $22,632

Illinois spent approximately $1 million and $21,844 per inmate (45,629Illinois spent approximately $1 million and $21,844 per inmate (45,629inmates as of 6/01)inmates as of 6/01)

California has one of the highest prison budgets in the nation at California has one of the highest prison budgets in the nation at approximately approximately

$5 billion/year $5 billion/year Huge chunk spent on housing parolees who return for new offensesHuge chunk spent on housing parolees who return for new offenses Of the 125,000 released/year, 98,750 return (79%)Of the 125,000 released/year, 98,750 return (79%) Each prisoner cost taxpayers at least $30,000/yearEach prisoner cost taxpayers at least $30,000/year

Bureau of Justice Statistics: State Prison Expenditures (2001)Bureau of Justice Statistics: State Prison Expenditures (2001)

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Educational Attainment for Educational Attainment for Correctional PopulationsCorrectional Populations

Bureau of Justice Statistics

41%

23%

23%

13%

Some H.S. orless

GED

H.S.

Postsecondary

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95%-97% of inmates now in 95%-97% of inmates now in prison will eventually be released prison will eventually be released and will return to our communitiesand will return to our communities

Recidivism-Contributing FactorsRecidivism-Contributing Factors

UnchangeableUnchangeable

AgeAge Criminal historyCriminal history GenderGender

ChangeableChangeable

Pro criminal attitudePro criminal attitude Poor employment patternPoor employment pattern Inadequate incomeInadequate income Housing instabilityHousing instability Drug useDrug use Alcohol useAlcohol use Pro criminal companionsPro criminal companions Low academic/vocational Low academic/vocational

skillsskills Unsupportive familyUnsupportive familyState of New York-Crimestat: A Report on Offender State of New York-Crimestat: A Report on Offender

Reentry. (2003).Reentry. (2003).

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Statistically SpeakingStatistically Speaking

Inmates who earned a diploma, returned to jail at a rate of Inmates who earned a diploma, returned to jail at a rate of 26.4%26.4% vs. those who did not earn a diploma at 44.6% vs. those who did not earn a diploma at 44.6%

25%25% of inmates receiving vocational training returned to of inmates receiving vocational training returned to prison vs. 77% who had no vocational trainingprison vs. 77% who had no vocational training

State of Ohio found that former inmates who were enrolled in State of Ohio found that former inmates who were enrolled in a college program returned at a rate of a college program returned at a rate of 18%18% vs. those who vs. those who were not enrolled at 40%were not enrolled at 40%

When former prisoners don’t return, there’s a national savings When former prisoners don’t return, there’s a national savings of hundreds of millions of dollars/yearof hundreds of millions of dollars/year

New York State estimates a cost of $2500/year/student to New York State estimates a cost of $2500/year/student to provide higher education in prison vs. an average cost of provide higher education in prison vs. an average cost of $30,000 to incarcerate them$30,000 to incarcerate them

Vacca, J. (2004). Educated Prisoners Are Less Likely to Return to Prison. Journal of Correctional Education. December 2004.Vacca, J. (2004). Educated Prisoners Are Less Likely to Return to Prison. Journal of Correctional Education. December 2004.

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What Can Be Done to Reduce Recidivism?What Can Be Done to Reduce Recidivism?

Prisoner educationPrisoner education Prison workPrison work Transitional servicesTransitional services Release planningRelease planning SupervisionSupervision Sustainable incomeSustainable income Stable housingStable housing

Family supportFamily support Access to public Access to public

support servicessupport services MedicationMedication Mental health servicesMental health services Parole discharge Parole discharge

planningplanning Substance abuse Substance abuse

treatmenttreatment

State of New York-Crimestat: A Report on Offender State of New York-Crimestat: A Report on Offender Reentry. (2003).Reentry. (2003).

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Educated PrisonersEducated Prisoners

““The relationship between illiteracy and criminal The relationship between illiteracy and criminal behavior was behavior was

established long before the Walnut Street jail opened in established long before the Walnut Street jail opened in

Philadelphia in 1790 & remains as one of the major Philadelphia in 1790 & remains as one of the major issues in issues in

corrections today”. (LoPinto)corrections today”. (LoPinto)

Inmate college programs in the United States:Inmate college programs in the United States: Prior to 1994, 350 programs in 90% of the statesPrior to 1994, 350 programs in 90% of the states In 2001, 8-12 programsIn 2001, 8-12 programs In 2003-2004, approximately 85,000 prisoners were In 2003-2004, approximately 85,000 prisoners were

taking college courses (5% of total prisoner population)taking college courses (5% of total prisoner population) Higher education in prison yields $2 (in lowered re-Higher education in prison yields $2 (in lowered re-

incarceration costs alone) for every $1 spentincarceration costs alone) for every $1 spent

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LegislationLegislation

Title IV (1965) permitted inmates to apply for financial aid in the form of Title IV (1965) permitted inmates to apply for financial aid in the form of Pell Pell

GrantsGrants

Prior to FY99, the Adult Education Act required a state to set aside 10% of Prior to FY99, the Adult Education Act required a state to set aside 10% of its its

basic state grant funding for prisonersbasic state grant funding for prisoners

The Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act The Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act required arequired a

state to set aside 1% of its basic state grant funds for correctional state to set aside 1% of its basic state grant funds for correctional educationeducation

Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act (1994) prohibited inmate Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act (1994) prohibited inmate access access

to Pell Grantsto Pell Grants

Higher Education Act, Answering YES to one drug conviction on the FAFSA Higher Education Act, Answering YES to one drug conviction on the FAFSA makes one ineligible for financial aid for one year makes one ineligible for financial aid for one year

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Why Even Bother?Why Even Bother?

Why educate inmates?Why educate inmates? Opportunities to improve their capability for employment after Opportunities to improve their capability for employment after

being releasedbeing released Promote positive transitionPromote positive transition Increase self confidence and psychological well-beingIncrease self confidence and psychological well-being Prisoners can serve as role models to othersPrisoners can serve as role models to others Promote social skillsPromote social skills Inmates move from passive objects to active participantsInmates move from passive objects to active participants Enormous benefits for familiesEnormous benefits for families Former prisoners often continue some sort of education when Former prisoners often continue some sort of education when

releasedreleased Reduce recidivism; social and financial benefitsReduce recidivism; social and financial benefits While in jail- fewer disciplinary problems from inmates, safer While in jail- fewer disciplinary problems from inmates, safer

and more manageable environmentand more manageable environment

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Barriers to EducationBarriers to Education

Restrictive eligibility requirementsRestrictive eligibility requirements Poor academic preparationPoor academic preparation Logistical and security concernsLogistical and security concerns Inmate reassignmentInmate reassignment Values/attitudes of authoritiesValues/attitudes of authorities Lack of support from policymakersLack of support from policymakers Inadequate funding (teaching personnel, supplies, etc)Inadequate funding (teaching personnel, supplies, etc) Overcrowded prison populationOvercrowded prison population Peer pressurePeer pressure Public ambivalence regarding rehabilitationPublic ambivalence regarding rehabilitation Removal of grant moneyRemoval of grant money

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RecommendationsRecommendations

Increase funding for college programs (public & private Increase funding for college programs (public & private support)support)

Restore financial aid for inmatesRestore financial aid for inmates Focus on learner-centered educationFocus on learner-centered education Incentives for participation (i.e. good conduct credit)Incentives for participation (i.e. good conduct credit) Limit the transfer of inmates to other facilitiesLimit the transfer of inmates to other facilities Mandatory education via GEDMandatory education via GED Vocational job trainingVocational job training Recruitment and training of qualified teachersRecruitment and training of qualified teachers Pre & Post release servicesPre & Post release services Use more than recidivism as a measure of success Use more than recidivism as a measure of success

(employment data, parole compliance, continued (employment data, parole compliance, continued involvement in education, etc)involvement in education, etc)

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ExerciseExerciseA copy of this presentation is also available at:A copy of this presentation is also available at:

www.geocities.com/jenniferdsmith1www.geocities.com/jenniferdsmith1

If designing a prison education curriculum, which major areas If designing a prison education curriculum, which major areas wouldwould

you focus on?you focus on?

It’s time to take sides, are you in support or against educating It’s time to take sides, are you in support or against educating

prisoners? Why did you choose that stance?prisoners? Why did you choose that stance?

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“ “ We understand the public’s anger about crime and realize We understand the public’s anger about crime and realize that prison is first and foremost a punishment for crime. But that prison is first and foremost a punishment for crime. But we believe that when we are able to work and earn a higher we believe that when we are able to work and earn a higher education degree while in prison, we are empowered to truly education degree while in prison, we are empowered to truly pay our debts to society by working toward repairing some of pay our debts to society by working toward repairing some of what has been broken…it is for all these reasons, and in the what has been broken…it is for all these reasons, and in the name of hope and redemption, that we ask you to help us name of hope and redemption, that we ask you to help us

rebuild a college program here at Bedford Hills Correctional rebuild a college program here at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility”. The Inmate Committee, 1996Facility”. The Inmate Committee, 1996

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““Educating the incarcerated is not an exercise in Educating the incarcerated is not an exercise in futility, nor is it a gift to the undeserving. It is a futility, nor is it a gift to the undeserving. It is a

practical and necessary safeguard to insure that practical and necessary safeguard to insure that those who have found themselves without the those who have found themselves without the

proper resources to succeed have these needs met proper resources to succeed have these needs met before they are released. It is a gift to ourselves and before they are released. It is a gift to ourselves and to our children, a gift of both compassion and peace to our children, a gift of both compassion and peace

of mind. We are not turning the other cheek to of mind. We are not turning the other cheek to those who have hurt us. We are taking their hands those who have hurt us. We are taking their hands

and filling them with a learning and filling them with a learning so that they can’t strike us again”. so that they can’t strike us again”.

Janice Grieshaber, Executive Director, The Jenna Foundation for Non-ViolenceJanice Grieshaber, Executive Director, The Jenna Foundation for Non-Violence

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ResourcesResources

Changing Minds: The Impact of College in a Maximum Changing Minds: The Impact of College in a Maximum Security Prison. (2001). The Graduate Center of the City Security Prison. (2001). The Graduate Center of the City University of New York and Women in Prison at the University of New York and Women in Prison at the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility.Bedford Hills Correctional Facility.

Federal Bureau of Prisons Federal Bureau of Prisons www.bop.govwww.bop.gov

New York State Division of Criminal Justice Serviceswww.criminaljustice.state.ny.us.htm

360 Degrees 360 Degrees www.360degrees.orgwww.360degrees.org

Correctional Education Association Correctional Education Association www.ceanational.orgwww.ceanational.org

Mayoral Policy Caucus on Prisoner Reentry: City ofMayoral Policy Caucus on Prisoner Reentry: City of

Chicago. (2006). Rebuilding Lives, Restoring Hope,Chicago. (2006). Rebuilding Lives, Restoring Hope,

Strenghthening Communities: Breaking the Cycle of Strenghthening Communities: Breaking the Cycle of

Incarceration and Building Brighter Futures in Chicago.Incarceration and Building Brighter Futures in Chicago.

Steurer, S.J., Smith, L. (2003). EducationSteurer, S.J., Smith, L. (2003). Education

Reduces Crime: Three State Recidivism Study. USReduces Crime: Three State Recidivism Study. US

Department of Education, Office of CorrectionalDepartment of Education, Office of Correctional

Education and Correctional Education Association.Education and Correctional Education Association.

Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison www.hudsonlink.orgwww.hudsonlink.org

O’Bryant. J. (2003). Crime Control: The Federal Response. Issue O’Bryant. J. (2003). Crime Control: The Federal Response. Issue Brief Brief

for Congressfor Congress

CATO Institute CATO Institute www.cato.orgwww.cato.org

Few Prisoners Enrolling in Available College Classes. Few Prisoners Enrolling in Available College Classes. Diverse Issues in Higher Education. December 1, 2005.Diverse Issues in Higher Education. December 1, 2005.

Improve Prison Education. San Francisco Chronicle. April 12, Improve Prison Education. San Francisco Chronicle. April 12, 20042004

National Institute of Corrections National Institute of Corrections www.nicic.orgwww.nicic.org

McDonough, J. Prison Education Programs Cut Rate of McDonough, J. Prison Education Programs Cut Rate of Reoffending. The Boston Globe. July 13, 2004.Reoffending. The Boston Globe. July 13, 2004.

Harlow, C. (2003). Education and Correctional Populations. Harlow, C. (2003). Education and Correctional Populations. Bureau of Justice Statistics. Bureau of Justice Statistics.

Stephan, J. (2004). State Prison Expenditures. Bureau of Stephan, J. (2004). State Prison Expenditures. Bureau of Justice Statistics.Justice Statistics. Illinois Department of Corrections Illinois Department of Corrections www.idoc.state.il.uswww.idoc.state.il.us

US Department of Education US Department of Education www.ed.govwww.ed.gov

State of New York-Crimestat: A Report on Offender Reentry. State of New York-Crimestat: A Report on Offender Reentry. (2003).(2003).

Focus on Basics: Corrections Education. National Center for Focus on Basics: Corrections Education. National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy

www.ncsall.netwww.ncsall.net

The Effects of Education in American Prisons: How Inmate The Effects of Education in American Prisons: How Inmate Education Benefits Society Education Benefits Society www.outofthecube.comwww.outofthecube.com

Documents

Nontraditional Degree Attainment Educating our Prison Population: Transformative Education, Social Welfare, or Are We Just Plain Crazy? Jennifer D. Smith