Prepared for the Boston Foundation and signed onto by nearly two dozen representatives from across the political spectrum, "Unlocking College: Strengthening Massachusetts' Commitment to College in Prison" explores the landscape of educational opportunities in Massachusetts prisons. The report finds that despite evidence that educational…

College-in-prison programs are run by accredited universities and colleges, and allow participants to earn college degrees intended to facilitate positive real-world outcomes outside of the criminal justice system. Reduced rates of recidivism and increased employment opportunities are among the most cited benefits of providing higher education to…

This brief examines how Indiana is aligning education and training opportunities for people who are currently or formerly incarcerated. This is the second brief in the series "Reconnecting Justice in the States," which explores coordinated justice, education, and workforce policy and practice at the state level. It is part of CLASP's…

In partnership with the Postsecondary Value Commission, we conducted a thought experiment on the costs of inequality in the US education system. Our simulation found that the US economy misses out on $956 billion dollars per year, along with numerous nonmonetary benefits, as a result of postsecondary attainment gaps by economic status and…

In this report, we present the results of a thought experiment in which we estimated the potential costs and benefits to society of achieving equality in educational attainment and related workforce outcomes by race/ethnicity, class, and gender. We conducted this thought experiment to clarify the role that education can play in reducing…

This report presents findings from the "CalYOUTH Wave 4 Youth Survey." CalYOUTH (the California Youth Transitions to Adulthood Study), is an evaluation of the impact of the California Fostering Connections to Success Act on outcomes during foster youth's transition to adulthood. CalYOUTH includes collection and analysis of information…

Some or all of the pre-release educational and vocational programs that are offered in state and federal prisons are free. Though these inmates are required to participate in these programs before they re-enter society, their attitudes regarding their participation in these programs are mixed. This study reveals literature of what attitudes some…

Post-secondary education is claimed to have long-term life benefits for all individuals. However, little is known in terms of how post-secondary education assists ex-inmates to live crime-free. The aim of the present study was to explore how post-secondary education independently and directly came to assist ex-inmates to live crime-free.…

Many educators view the process of education as transformative. This transformation is important in all classrooms, but it takes on added importance in prison classrooms. The education that inmates receive in prison can mean the difference between the doorway of freedom with a productive future and the revolving door of recidivism. For many prison…

The current "CalYOUTH Wave 2 Los Angeles County Report" presents findings from the "CalYOUTH Wave 2 Youth Survey," focusing on just study participants in Los Angeles County. Of all of the counties in California, Los Angeles County has the greatest number of children in foster care. Since child welfare services are administered…

Study release programs (in which selected inmates attend school in the community) have not realized ther full potential due to (1) decline of the rehabilitation ethic, (2) job placement as a condition of parole, (3) funding, and (4) inmate motivation. (SK)

Describes and evaluates the California State University, Sacramento Special Session at Folsom Prison. Devotes particular attention to measurement issues, and states that coordination of criteria for assessing program performance is essential for meeting the objectives of correctional education. States that this is a generally successful program,…

This set of knowledge/skill maps are intended to assist individuals responsible for developing training courses for corrections officers. Maps are provided for the following task areas: booking, receiving, and releasing; escorting and transporting; recordkeeping and report writing; supervising noninmate movement and visitors; searching and…

The proceedings of a conference to consolidate the partnership between the correctional system and the community college system are presented. The conference objectives were: (1) to generate potential solutions to the identified needs, (2) to suggest strategies for implementation, and (3) to identify probable funding resources. The participants…

Descriptions of various types of prison postsecondary education programs include both those inside the institution and on a precommitment or post-release basis. Concerns common to these programs include costs, geographic isolation of institutions, post-release linkages, transferability of earned credits, scheduling educational participation,…