Corrections_Today_September-October_2022_Vol.84_No.5

Introduction T wenty-five percent of the world’s prison population is housed in the United States, but the U.S. hosts only 5% of the total world population (Obama, 2015). This corresponds to two million individuals who are incarcerated in America, as of 2012 (James, 2015). America spends a staggering amount of money to house and care for the imprisoned population. In 2015, $43 billion was spent on prison programs (Vera Institute of Justice, 2021) even though 76.6% of those who were released returned to prison within five years (National Institute of Justice, 2014). With 95% of all offenders who are imprisoned being released back into their communities (James, 2015), it is critical prison and government leaders utilize the most effective methods of rehabilitating those in prison. Prisons are full of people who dropped out of school, struggle with literacy or math, and are angry as a result of academic frustration, bullying and other negative educational experiences (Reese, 2017). Reese (2017) suggested a lack of education is the common denomina tor among the incarcerated population. Many individuals who are sentenced to prison have low levels of literacy, which limit productive employment options and, there fore, may lead to their participation in illegal activities (Reese, 2017). It stands to reason education provides opportunities and options that are not available to those with lower education levels. Over 2,400 years ago, Ar istotle and other philosophers maintained that education was the pathway to creating responsible, literate society members who could reason and govern appropriately (Smith, 2020). Their forward thinking was not employed on a widespread basis until formal education began to take a more prominent role in society in the mid-20th century (Justice, 2000). Studies have determined educa tion is able to improve critical thinking skills, improve pro-social behaviors, provide skills for employment and help offenders stay out of prison once released (Braz zell, 2009). Understanding the value of education to the general public, education could be the answer to rehabil itating incarcerated individuals. If offenders are taught to think critically and to understand the history and sci ence of the world, they can make better, more informed choices and they will have more choices available to them to be successful.

Types of prison education programs There are many different types of educational pro grams that are offered in American prisons today. Categories of prison education programs include High School Equivalency diploma, Human Resource Develop ment courses, personal improvement classes, vocational programs which may or may not end with state or nation al certification and post-secondary education programs. All are provided with the intention to assist offenders with finding employment upon release or to assist with manag ing their incarceration. Studies have determined education is able to improve critical thinking skills, improve pro social behaviors, provide skills for employment and help offenders stay out of prison once released (Brazzell, 2009). There are multiple currently accepted pathways to the high school equivalency diploma in the United States today (Rosen, 2017). Until 2014, the General Education Diploma (GED) was the only pathway to earn a high school equiva lency diploma. In 2014, the GED was recalibrated, and two other companies (HiSET and TASC) joined the GED as alternative pathways to earn an HSE. Some states also offer competency-based pathways to a high school diploma (Rosen, 2017). Opportunities vary by state, but most states offer some pathway to earn a high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma to incarcerated individuals. As a part of HSE, most prison systems are also compelled to provide special education services for individuals who qualify (Rosen, 2017). There is a high prevalence of of fenders who require special education services, including many with learning disabilities, emotional/behavioral dis abilities and mental illness (Brazzell et al., 2009).

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