Prison Rehabilitation Programs

Critical Thinking

David Diouf

CAP 9 [ Green group]

Bustillos

5/13/2019
 According to the Equal Justice Initiative, the number of inmates increased from “less than

200,000 in 1972 to 2.2 million today” (2018). In other words, there has been an additional

2,000,000 inmate incarcerations in the span of 46 years. The increasing numbers of prisoners are

left with minimal access to education, health care, counseling; and, little hope for rehabilitation.

The ever-growing number of prisoners is strenuous on U.S jail facilities, and a burden for local

state budgets. The United States legislative branch should allocate money towards continuous

inmate rehabilitation programs, seeing that these long term programs would boost the U.S

economy, lower the recidivism rates, and reduce crime rates. The programs would target

prisoners during the incarceration period, and continue following release.

Long term rehabilitation programs such as ‘The Farm at Our House’, which is a program

created to train at risk teenage boys for job opportunities, would boost the economy. The funds

needed to keep an inmate in jail averages to “$31,000 per inmate, per year, nationwide”

(www.marketplace.org). On the other hand, “ The national, average annual expenditure per adult

learner was $1,021 in 2017”(www.worlded.org). Accounting for 2.2 million convicts, the yearly

cost to keep all current inmates in jail would be $68,200,000,000, U.S dollars annually.

Including, employee pay and the upkeep of facilities, the sum totals “over $80 billion”

(obamawhitehouse.archives.gov). Whereas, $1021 for 2.2 million prisoners only amounts to

$2,246,200,000, a stark $67,975,380,000 Billion dollar difference. In the long run, funding such

programs would result in an additional $67 Billion dollar surplus in the government budget.

Support programs such as ‘Federal Prisons Industries’ provides job training to inmates; and,
eventually prepares inmates for full-time jobs. Regular salary would account for housing and

providing for themselves, without the need to commit crimes to do so. Convicts that are able to

provide for themselves, are no longer dependent on U.S dollars; incidentally, reducing

government spending. This surplus of currency could be relocated towards alternative

departments. Additionally, education reform within prisons saves “four to five dollars on the

costs of re-incarceration” thus decreasing state and federal spending (www.justice.gov).

Support programs that provide education, health care, and hope, would lower recidivism

rates. The current recidivism rate within 5 years of release is 76%, in the United States.

Convicted felons, even after release, struggle to settle into society. They face scarce career

opportunities, insufficient health care, and scant access to education. These deplorable

circumstances, lead most individuals back into crime; and, eventually into the correctional

system. Demographic research has proven that “people without education, jobs, housing, or

hope, commit most crimes” (U.S News). In fact, well-funded rehabilitation programs are able to

create a strong support system, that guides inmates to lasting career opportunities, and fills them

with a sense of hope. Counseling and support with low levels of security, has shown to be the

most promising strategy to reduce recidivism. The driving initiative of numerous reform

programs is to provide hope and education;whilst, alleviating the effects of poverty and lessening

the impact of incarceration. In the absence of such poor conditions, frequency rates of re-offense

would drastically decrease. Unfortunately, without funding many programs are not able to do so.

According to statistical studies, “ inmates who worked in prison industries were 24 percent less

likely to recidivate” (www.justice.gov). On average this would lower the recidivism rate to 52%.
Furthermore, educational programs that provide knowledge and hope to prisoners, have shown to

lower recidivism rates by up to “ 43 percent” (www.justice.gov). This is evident in the case of

Tonya Wilson. She was incarcerated at Washington Corrections Center for Women, with little

hope for a better life after prison. Through rehabilitation programs, she was able to turn her life

around and pursue a degree in Liberal Arts and Science.

Rehabilitation programs, lead convicts on the path to job opportunities, eventually

amounting to regular salary. Ex-inmates in the programs would have stable incomes, thus

reducing crime rates. On average, “Only one-half of all inmates have high school diplomas “

with little going for them, many turn to crime (New Strategies for Prisoner Rehabilitation). Many

prisoners, believe lack of education and skill, to be the main causes of return to prison. Programs

such as the ‘Second Chance Pell’, which was created to provide an opportunity for education,

would target the education gap within prisons. Rehabilitation and support would lead the

ex-convicts to better pursuits, and less recidivism;concurrently, lowering crime rates. In

correctional facilities Nationwide, “there are groups of men and women who are working to

effect positive change in themselves and their environment” and support programs, would only

enhance the work that is already being done (www.prisonscholars.org). A prime example of

successful reform is in the case of Terry Mowatt. He was sentenced to 20 years, in Stafford

Creek Corrections Center. Through the ‘Prison Scholar Fund’,a program created to provide

education to prisoners, he was able to obtain a business degree from Adams State University.

Acquiring a degree, during his incarceration, left him with “a feeling of accomplishment, and a
source of security” (www.prisonscholars.org). The ‘Prison Scholar Fund’ equipped him with all

the necessary tools to re-enter society as a working citizen.

Releasing ‘criminals’ into everyday life would not endanger our communities as many

claim. Instead, programs such as the ‘Residential Reentry Center’, would educate and give

prisoners opportunities that “directly reflect the competitive nature of American

society”(www.prisonscholars.org). The programs aim to create functioning members of society,

that contribute to the world around them. Long term rehabilitation, progressively re-introduces

aspects of common life, slowly acclimating the prisoners. Extensive research has shown that

“recidivism risk can be effectively reduced through evidence-based programming that targets

criminogenic needs” (www.justice.gov). These criminogenic needs include temperament,

schooling, substance abuse, etc,. Additionally, many who oppose prison reform argue that the

sudden influx of prisoners would damage the economy. Conversely, a wave of workers would

only serve to strengthen the United States Economy. By increasing the number of citizens that

pay government and state taxes.

In Conclusion, the Legislative branch of the U.S Government should administer funding

toward programs that would minimize the education gap, prepare prisoners for reentry into

society, and lower crime rates. Providing adequate funding to career training services for

prisoners, would eventually decrease state and federal spending, greatly benefiting the United

States. Additionally, reform programs would provide various economic, educational and criminal

benefits. While Simultaneously, fighting against the unjust criminal justice laws.
 Works Cited

"Mass Incarceration." ​Eji.org​, 2018, eji.org/mass-incarceration. Accessed 22

Apr. 2019. Brief explanation of statistics, and reasons behind Mass
Incarceration in the United States. 'Eji' is an organization that advocates
justice in different fields.To get a clear picture of Incarceration.

Cullen, James, editor. "Sentencing Laws and How They Contribute to Mass
Incarceration." ​Brennancenter,​ 5 Oct. 2018, www.brennancenter.org/blog/
sentencing-laws-and-how-they-contribute-mass-incarceration-0. Accessed 29
Apr. 2019. Brief explanation of sentencing laws, and how they affect the
judicial system. Can be used to prove the injustice that many face in
judicial courts.

Mills, Eliza. "How Much Does It Cost to Send Someone to Prison?"

​www.marketplace.org​, 19 May 2017, www.marketplace.org/2017/05/15/
world/how-much-does-it-cost-send-someone-prison. Accessed 18 Feb. 2019.
Numbers, this source tells us about the amount of money needed to keep a
inmate in jail and it’s impacts on the economy.

"Adult Education Facts." ​World Education,​ www.worlded.org/WEIInternet/us/

adult-ed-facts.cfm. Accessed 21 Apr. 2019. Website that advocates for
spread of education throughout the world, statistics concerning adult
education. Proves the benefits of adult education through numbers.

Office Press Secretary, editor. "President Obama Announces New Actions to Reduce
Recidivism and Promote Reintegration of Formerly Incarcerated Individuals."
​White house archives: President Obama​, 24 June 2016,
obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2016/06/24/
fact-sheet-president-obama-announces-new-actions-reduce-recidivism-and.
Accessed 23 Apr. 2019. Collection of White house archives, in the Obama

"Prison Reform: Reducing Recidivism." ​Department of Justice,​ United States

Department of Justice, www.justice.gov/archives/prison-reform#_ftn2.
Accessed 21 Apr. 2019. The department of Justice is committed to gathering
 information from departments across the United States. List of successful
reform programs and their goals.

Walsh, Colleen. "The Costs of Inequality: Goal Is Justice, but Reality Is

Unfairness." ​U.S. News​, 1 Mar. 2016. ​Usnews.com​, www.usnews.com/news/
the-report/articles/2016-03-01/
the-costs-of-inequality-goal-is-justice-but-reality-is-unfairness. Accessed
21 Apr. 2019. U.S news article detailing the unfair practices in U.S courts
and jail facilities. Delves into the bad condition of many prisoners.

Coylewright, Jeremy. ​New Strategies for Prisoner Rehabilitation in the American

​Criminal Justice System: Prisoner Facilitated Mediation​. Journal of Health
Care Law and Policy 7. ​Digitalcommons.law.umaryland.edu​,
digitalcommons.law.umaryland.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1273&context=jhclp.
Accessed 18 Apr. 2019. Research report corroborated by the University of

"Success Stories." ​Prisonscholars​, Prison Scholar Fund, www.prisonscholars.org/

success-stories/. Accessed 21 Apr. 2019. Run by the 'Prison Scholar Fund' a
rehabilitation program that aims to provide education and support to
inmates. List of success stories that have benefited from their program.
 Annotated Bibliography

"Adult Education Facts." ​World Education,​ www.worlded.org/WEIInternet/us/

adult-ed-facts.cfm. Accessed 21 Apr. 2019. Website that advocates for
spread of education throughout the world, statistics concerning adult
education. Proves the benefits of adult education through numbers.

Akhbari, Ki. "Class A Misdemeanors." ​Legalmatch​, 7 July 2018, www.legalmatch.com/

law-library/article/class-a-misdemeanor-laws.html. Accessed 25 Mar. 2019.
Legal aid website that provides, help and resources to prisoners through
education and lawyers. List of minor misdemeanors that a person can be
charged with, including their sentences.

"The Challenges of Prisoner Re-Entry into Society." ​Simons University​, 12 July

2016. Accessed 17 Apr. 2019. Written by Staff at Simon University looks at
challenges of re-entry into society. Shows the difficulties of
transitioning from prison to regular life.

Coylewright, Jeremy. ​New Strategies for Prisoner Rehabilitation in the American

​Criminal Justice System: Prisoner Facilitated Mediation​. Journal of Health
Care Law and Policy 7. ​Digitalcommons.law.umaryland.edu​,
digitalcommons.law.umaryland.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1273&context=jhclp.
Accessed 18 Apr. 2019. Research report corroborated by the University of
Maryland. Discusses successful rehabilitation strategies and how they
effect different individuals.

Cullen, James, editor. "Sentencing Laws and How They Contribute to Mass
Incarceration." ​Brennancenter,​ 5 Oct. 2018, www.brennancenter.org/blog/
sentencing-laws-and-how-they-contribute-mass-incarceration-0. Accessed 29
Apr. 2019. Brief explanation of sentencing laws, and how they affect the
judicial system. Can be used to prove the injustice that many face in
judicial courts.
"Increases in Spending on Corrections Far Outpace Education." ​U.S. Department of
​Education​, United States government, 6 July 2016, www.ed.gov/news/
press-releases/report-increases-spending-corrections-far-outpace-education.
Accessed 21 Apr. 2019. The U.S Department of Education is dedicated to
sample and present research concerning education in the United States.
Legitimizes the amount of money spent on the entire judicial system.

Lois M. Davis, Robert Bozick, Jennifer L. Steele, Jessica Saunders, Jeremy N. V.

Miles. ​Evaluating the Effectiveness of Correctional Education​. Bureau of
Justice Assistance. ​Bja.gov​, Bureau of Justice Assistance, www.bja.gov/
Publications/RAND_Correctional-Education-Meta-Analysis.pdf. Accessed 20
Apr. 2019. Written with the collaboration of Bureau of Justice Assistance.
Discusses the effectiveness of Prison education, through a meta-Analysis.

"Mass Incarceration." ​Eji.org​, 2018, eji.org/mass-incarceration. Accessed 22

Apr. 2019. Brief explanation of statistics, and reasons behind Mass
Incarceration in the United States. 'Eji' is an organization that advocates
justice in different fields.To get a clear picture of Incarceration.

Mills, Eliza. "How Much Does It Cost to Send Someone to Prison?"

​www.marketplace.org​, 19 May 2017, www.marketplace.org/2017/05/15/
world/how-much-does-it-cost-send-someone-prison. Accessed 18 Feb. 2019.
Numbers, this source tells us about the amount of money needed to keep a
inmate in jail and it’s impacts on the economy.

Office Press Secretary, editor. "President Obama Announces New Actions to Reduce
Recidivism and Promote Reintegration of Formerly Incarcerated Individuals."
​White house archives: President Obama​, 24 June 2016,
obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2016/06/24/
fact-sheet-president-obama-announces-new-actions-reduce-recidivism-and.
Accessed 23 Apr. 2019. Collection of White house archives, in the Obama
era. List of inmate rehabilitation programs installed in the Obama
administration, and their use.

"Prison Reform: Reducing Recidivism." ​Department of Justice,​ United States

Department of Justice, www.justice.gov/archives/prison-reform#_ftn2.
Accessed 21 Apr. 2019. The department of Justice is committed to gathering
 information from departments across the United States. List of successful
reform programs and their goals.
"Recidivism." ​www.nij.gov,​ National Institute of Justice, www.nij.gov/topics/
corrections/recidivism/pages/welcome.aspx. Accessed 18 Feb. 2019.
Recidivism rates in the United states, providing statistics( secondary).

"Success Stories." ​Prisonscholars​, Prison Scholar Fund, www.prisonscholars.org/

success-stories/. Accessed 21 Apr. 2019. Run by the 'Prison Scholar Fund' a
rehabilitation program that aims to provide education and support to
inmates. List of success stories that have benefited from their program.

"The Three Branches of Government." ​Politicalmanagementmasters​, Graduate School

of Political management, politicalmanagementmasters.online.gwu.edu/
the-three-branches-of-government/. Accessed 22 Mar. 2019. Source written by
editors of the George Washington University of political management details
the roles in a democracy. In detail explains the role of Presidents, the
Legislative House and many more.

"2017 Crime Statistics Released." ​www.fbi.gov,​ FBI, 24 Sept. 2018, www.fbi.gov/

news/stories/2017-crime-statistics-released-092418. Accessed 18 Feb. 2019.
2017 crime rates, source delves into the different categories of crimes
committed and the numbers behind them.

Walsh, Colleen. "The Costs of Inequality: Goal Is Justice, but Reality Is

Unfairness." ​U.S. News,​ 1 Mar. 2016. ​Usnews.com​, www.usnews.com/news/
the-report/articles/2016-03-01/
the-costs-of-inequality-goal-is-justice-but-reality-is-unfairness. Accessed
21 Apr. 2019. U.S news article detailing the unfair practices in U.S courts
and jail facilities. Delves into the bad condition of many prisoners.