A widely cited Emory University study found that while 76% of incarcerated Americans return to prison within five years, that rate drops to 55% for those who take high school classes, 30% for those who complete vocational training, and 13.7% for those who complete an associate degree. Community colleges play a key role in ensuring that people leaving prison don't return and, instead, get onto the path toward a productive and sustainable life path. Sometimes, this takes the form of educational programs while they're still in prison, but colleges are also recognizing the value of setting up reentry programs for those who have just been released, with an emphasis on workforce programming. Skagit Valley College (SVC) in Mount Vernon, Washington, launched the Community Integration Program, the effort works with those who have been recently released-and those out for some time--to help them pursue their educational and career goals. Shasta College in Redding, California, began its STEP-UP (Shasta Technical Education Program - Unified Partnership) program seven years ago to serve the formerly incarcerated and those on probation, court supervision or work release throughout northeastern California. Cleveland Community College (CCC) in Shelby, N.C. allows inmates at Lincoln Correctional Center to earn certifications in trades like welding, plumbing, electrical and carpentry by the time they are released.