On Dec. 31, 2000, more than 1.3 million adults were incarcerated in state and federal prisons across the United States. Fewer than 7,000 of those prisoners were under the jurisdiction of the District of Columbia, and were held at either the D.C. jail or the Lorton, Va. facilities.
After having served their time in prison, these former inmates will re-enter a society that will greet them with a heavy prejudice. They will face difficulties in finding employment, credit and insurance. Legal barriers exist as well. Employers can demand information about applicants’ arrest records, and can refuse employment based on a person’s past convictions. Many states permanently ban convicted felons from the welfare rolls and from a variety of professions. Thirteen states permanently ban convicted felons from voting in any elections.
Some Georgetown students work to make the inmates’ transition easier. Each semester, about 20 students participate in the Prison Outreach program. In addition to a group of professors, the students travel to the Arlington County Detention Facility and teach inmates high school and college-level courses. Those efforts give inmates a high school equivalency degree and help them pursue higher education once they re-enter society.
Given the structural forces working against convicts once they are released, Georgetown University Prison Outreach’s efforts at inmate education are an incredibly necessary and useful effort. The prejudice working against former inmates is strong enough to prevent them ever from ever fully reintegrating into society. The opportunities provided by education help convicts to lead normal lives once again.
According to a series of put out by the Center on Crime, Communities & Culture, the benefits of this sort of education cannot be understated. Former inmates who acquired college education at any time are significantly less likely to be re-arrested. Participants in prison-based education programs also stand a much better chance of not returning to prison after their release. Furthermore, prison wardens overwhelmingly support the availability of such programs.
Approximately one-third of all persons entering prison each year have already been incarcerated. With such disturbingly high recidivism, America’s justice system is clearly failing to effectively rehabilitate those convicted of crimes. Prison-based education is a clear step towards repairing this problem. The University’s Prison Outreach program should be commended for its efforts.
