Where’s the Research?

Education is often hailed as a powerful tool for transformation and empowerment. It opens doors, broadens horizons, and empowers individuals to shape their own destinies. However, when it comes to incarcerated individuals, the positive effects of educational programming often remain an underexplored territory. The seminal research for correctional educators is the Rand report, published in 2013, and that wasn’t new research, it was a meta analysis of research that frankly wasn’t all that current in 2013. In an era that promotes Second Chances, where’s the research? In today’s Sunday Morning Coffee, let’s delve into the pressing need for more research to uncover the transformative impact of education on those behind bars.

Education has the potential to be a beacon of hope for individuals in correctional facilities. Beyond just acquiring knowledge, it offers a pathway to rehabilitation, personal growth, and a brighter future. Many correctional institutions recognize this potential and offer a range of educational programs, including GED courses, vocational training, and postsecondary classes, and of course educators understand the impact that quality programming can have on a learner’s outcomes.

However, despite these efforts, there’s still a lack of comprehensive research that quantifies the true extent of the positive effects of educational programming for incarcerated individuals. Here are several reasons why this research is essential:

Reducing Recidivism Rates: Numerous studies have hinted at the correlation between education and reduced recidivism rates. An in-depth examination of this link could provide insights into how education can break the cycle of incarceration.

Enhancing Employability: Education equips individuals with valuable skills that can increase their employability upon release. Research can shed light on the types of programs that are most effective in preparing inmates for the job market.

Boosting Mental Well-being: Education is not just about job skills; it also nurtures personal development and self-esteem. Understanding the psychological benefits of education in a prison setting is crucial.

Financial Savings: Investing in education for inmates can lead to significant cost savings for the criminal justice system. A detailed cost-benefit analysis can demonstrate the financial advantages of such programs.

Educational Equity: Research can highlight any disparities in access to educational programming among incarcerated individuals, helping policymakers address issues of equity and fairness.

Undoubtedly, conducting research in correctional facilities presents unique challenges, such as restricted access, ethical considerations, and data collection difficulties. However, these challenges should not deter us from pursuing a deeper understanding of the positive effects of education in these environments.

One promising avenue for research is to collaborate with correctional institutions, educators, and nonprofit organizations to design and implement rigorous studies that assess the outcomes of various educational programs. By employing both quantitative and qualitative research methods, researchers can collect data on academic achievements, employment rates post-release, and the impact of education on participants' lives.

It does take fortitude. Gaining the trust of correctional agencies to share data is paramount. I’ve noted that many institutions are so afraid of bad press or negative results that they do everything they can to prevent data sharing, so being kind and communicative research partners is a must. For correctional agencies, implementing robust data collection should be a priority. Even when they want to share information, data collection around education is often still circa 1980, and if there is educational data available, it’s often limited to the number of residents enrolled in programs and the number of GEDs awarded. And then there’s the fact that government agencies don’t always have data platforms that talk to each other, so getting data that connects pre-release education to post-release outcomes can be hard to get.

But it’s not impossible, and it’s worth the effort. If we really want to make a difference.

The transformative power of education should not be confined to certain segments of society. Every individual, regardless of their circumstances, deserves the opportunity to grow, learn, and rebuild their lives through education. Therefore, the need for more research into the positive effects of educational programming for incarcerated individuals is clear.

As a society, we must advocate for greater investment in research that can provide evidence-based insights into the impact of education within correctional facilities. Research can pave the way for informed policies, increased access to educational programs, funding for said programs, and ultimately, the rehabilitation and reintegration of individuals into society. In this pursuit, we recognize that education has the potential to unlock a brighter future, even behind prison walls.

Cheers to you all! I hope your first week of 2024 was the kick-off for an amazing year.