Institute for Higher Education Policy: Postsecondary Education in Prisons

The results of a national survey on incarcerated adults revealed that there is a great market for higher education among those in prison.  IHEP released the report stating that the sizeable incarcerated population consists of people in critical need of education to improve their “post-release opportunities for employment.”  Since the of the incarcerated population has tripled over the past three decades, the United States has the highest prison population rate in the world and some estimate that one out of every 31 U.S. adults is under some form of correctional control.  In addition, with more persons in prisons In large incarcerated populations impose significant financial burdens on state budgets. From 2005 through 2009, for example, state spending on corrections grew faster than any other expenditure category, increasing 25 percent. In comparison, state spending on higher education increased 18 percent during the same period (National Association of State Budget Officers [NASBO] 2009).

            The Institute for Higher Education Policy report, "Unlocking Potential: Results of a National Survey of Postsecondary Education in State Prisons," shows that inmates in 13 states accounted for 86 percent of those enrolled in postsecondary programs in the 43 states whose officials responded to the survey.  The IHEP report also revealed that the 13 states with high enrollment in higher education were  more likely to consider behavioral characteristics to determine an inmate's eligibility for postsecondary education. States with low enrollments were more likely to consider the inmate's age and reason for incarceration.

            IHEP reports that in one approach to meet the educational needs of incarcerated populations and reduce levels of recidivism, policymakers have turned to postsecondary correctional education (PSCE). PSCE encompasses any academic or vocational coursework an incarcerated person takes beyond the high school diploma or equivalent that can be used toward a certificate or an associate’s, bachelor’s, or graduate degree. The Institute report says that among those who have participated in PSCE, several “positive post-release outcomes have been observed, including increased educational attainment levels, reduced recidivism rates, and improved post-release employment opportunities and earnings (Gaes 2008; Meyer et al. 2010; Winterfield et al. 2009).”

            IHEP believes there is great potential in the market for incarcerated adults, but admits there are major limitations to funding.  “Some private colleges have joined with nearby prisons to offer free, for-credit courses to inmates, but those individual partnerships—while often successful in reducing recidivism on a small scale—don't represent the educational opportunities available to most inmates (Sieben, 2011).

            The Institute states that blanket bans on funding for prisoners like those imposed by former President Clinton make higher education difficult.  These blanket bans on the provision of need-based aid to all prisoners represent a one-size-fits-all approach to policy that restricts access to education for some individuals who could benefit greatly from public support of their educational pursuits. Participation in postsecondary correctional education has been linked to a number of desirable post-release outcomes.

            I believe that the IHEP report definitely challenges legislators to look at alternatives to higher education funding for prisoners.  Incarcerated persons are disproportionally likely to come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds; to be members of a racial/ethnic minority group; to have held a low-skill, low-paying job (if employed at all) at the time of arrest; and to be less educated than their counterparts in the general.  My experience has not been very positive in relation to higher education funding for incarcerated adults, but that does not stop me from dreaming of possibilities like those suggested by this report.

References

Gorgol, L.E. & Sponsler, B. A.  (May, 2011).  “Unlocking Potential: Results of a National Survey of Postsecondary Education in State Prisons.”  IHEP.  Retrieved Oct. 22, 2011 from http://www.ihep.org/assets/files/publications/s-z/Unlocking_Potential-PSCE_FINAL_REPORT_May_2011.pdf


Sieben, L.  (May 4, 2011).  Report Describes Limits of Inmates' Access to College  Education.  The Chronicle of Higher Education