Distance Learning Becoming a Popular Path in Prisons

Written by: Elizabeth L. Puckett on Feb 22, 2012 at 4:52pm EDT

For years it has been very difficult for someone in jail to reach any type of educational program. Internet availability has been very limited to inmates; they were cut off from easy access to the wonderful educational resources that the World Wide Web has to offer free citizens. According to an article by the Guardian, not only are some jailed citizens getting online now, they are actually earning degrees and securing jobs to go to once they have been released.

Is It Too Late?

Many people have a very hard time transitioning back into society after serving time in jail. Their records are forever blemished, their community is weary of them, and their families may have distanced themselves from the situation altogether; but there is hope. Someone who has a degree is far more resourceful than the uneducated, even if that new degree was earned behind the walls of a state or federal prison. For those who are rejected by large corporations and companies, there are more options for someone with formal training in a specific area. There is no limit to what you can do with the power of knowledge. Most industries have opportunities for the self-employed and even small business owners. A person who has training to operate on their own terms will not have to answer for their background when they are being interviewed for a job.

Best Chance at a Better Future

Once someone has spent time in prison, it will be very difficult for them to gain employment upon their return to society. Not many employers are willing to hire someone who has a criminal record, especially if their offenses were severe enough to land them in jail. Once a blemished background is paired with a lack of skills or formal training, it can be very difficult to find welcoming opportunities. If inmates were to couple their criminal history with a reputable degree, however, they would defiantly have a greater chance at a better future upon release. If they are able to show their prospective employer how they have spent their time behind bars studying, then people will likely be much more willing to give them a chance.

More Education, Less Crime

One report by the National Alliance of Excellent Education proves the link between crime and an undereducated nation. The findings in the article even suggest that a 5% reduction in undereducated people could save this country almost 8 billion dollars a year. It also points out that 75% of the inmates currently in prisoned in this country have not even graduated high school. A higher graduation rate would greatly reduce the number of arrests including those for assault, murder, theft, and fraud; and that is only taking grade school rates into consideration alone.

Comments

No comments yet.