Despite the known benefits of educating prisoners, garnering support for the funding of prisoner education is not an easy task, especially for what may be considered a non essential or luxury programme, such as tertiary education for prisoners. Should the government allocate further funding towards the higher education of prisoners?
by Naomi Douglas
1. How do you garner support?
1.1. Who supports higher education?
1.2. Who are the advocates/adversaries?
2. What funds does the govt already allocate?
2.1. What do these funds provide/not provide?
2.2. Research the success of how these funds have been used
3. Effect on Society
3.1. Will this lower future crime rates?
3.2. Will higher education make a positive effect on society as people are taught skills and offered opportunities?
4. Pros and cons for higher education
4.1. Research re-incarceration statistics
4.2. Research who uses the higher education and what for?
4.3. What is the success rate/fail rate of educating prisoners?
4.4. Research stats on employment rates after leaving prison
5. How do you decide what is non essential or luxury programming?
5.1. Who decides this?
5.2. What are non essential or luxury programs?
6. COSTS
6.1. How much does it cost to educate a prisoner?
6.2. How much does it cost to just be in prison?
6.3. Does the Government make their money back when/if the prisoner gets a job and pays taxes?
